Question

Passive transport of charged solutes is driven by an ?. This is a combination of the difference in voltage between the outside and inside of the plasma membrane, called the membrane ?, and the concentration gradient of ions.

Answer 1

1. Electrochemical gradient

2. Potential

Electrochemical gradient is the combination of both electrical as well as the chemical gradient across the membrane. The ions usually sodium and potassium ions, have different concentrations across the membrane. Sodium ion concentration is higher outside the membrane while potassium ions have higher concentration inside the cell. This concentration gradient also creates an electrical gradient which is collectively called electrochemical gradient helps conduction of signal across nerve and muscle cells.