Liver cells maintain a high internal potassium ion K concent

Liver cells maintain a high internal potassium ion (K^+) concentration and a low internal sodium ion (Na^+) concentration when in a bathing solution of high Na concentration and low K^+ concentration. A student hypothesized that the internal ion concentrations were maintained by active transport of Na^+ and K^+ at the cell membrane. She predicted that lowering the temperature of the solution and cells would inhibit any active transport. Which of the following would this student predict to be the consequences when the temperature is lowered? Internal K^+ would increase. Internal Na^+ would increase and internal K^+ would decrease. Both internal K^+ and Na^+ would increase. Internal Nat would decrease. Both 1 and 4.

Solution

Answer is 5: Both 1 & 4. Due to the inhibition of active transport, the Leak channels become active and they allow the K+ Ions in and Na+ ions out and finally maintain resting potential. So the answer is 5