[Campbell Biology P.837] What is a key difference in the primary ions responsible for establ... | Practice Question

What is a key difference in the primary ions responsible for establishing membrane potential and cotransport in plant cells compared to animal cells?

  • A: Plants use Na+ for membrane potential, animals use H+.
  • B: Plants primarily use H+ for membrane potential and cotransport, while animals primarily use Na+.
  • C: Plants use K+ for membrane potential, animals use H+.
  • D: Plants use Ca2+ for cotransport, animals use Na+.

Explanation

The text explicitly states: 'Unlike in animal cells, hydrogen ions H+ rather than sodium ions Na+ play the primary role in basic transport processes in plant cells.' and 'Also, H+ is most often cotransported in plants, whereas Na+ is typically cotransported in animals.'