Cells Pump Sodium Ions Out by the Process of _______

Question

Cells pump sodium ions out by the process of _______.
A) diffusion
B) osmosis
C) phagocytosis
D) active transport

Accepted Answer

Active transport is the process by which cells move substances against their concentration gradient, requiring energy in the form of ATP. Sodium ions are typically present at higher concentrations outside of the cell, so the cell must use active transport to pump them out. Diffusion is the movement of particles from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration, whereas osmosis is the movement of water molecules across a selectively permeable membrane. Phagocytosis is a type of endocytosis in which a cell engulfs large particles or even whole cells.