Question

A membrane has two sides, side A and side B. The net electrochemical potential is negative on side A compared to side B. There are 100 calcium ions on both sides of the bilayer. The free energy of moving a Calcium (+II) ion from side A to side B is:

	A.	positive
	B.	zero
	C.	negative
	D.	It depends on the temperature, which is not given.

This was all the information given, I'm assuming by free energy they are referring to delta G but I don't know.

Answer 1

Answer: C. negative

Explanation:

The calculations are given below in the attached image. We, for the sake of giving an instance, have assumed the electrochemical potential on side A to be -200mV (more negative) and that of side B to be -100mV (less negative). However, you can take any two numbers such that side A is more negative, and you will get the same answer (that is, negative free energy)

[Since delta G = -nEF, there is no role of temperature here.]

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