Question

Explain why $\mathit{N}{\mathit{a}}^{\mathbf{+}}$and ${\mathit{K}}^{\mathbf{+}}$ions usually move more slowly through pumps than through channels.

Short answer

The movement of ions through the pump is slower than the channel because pumps take more time to hydrolyze the ATP and shape the proteins that will allow the ion transfer. The channels, on the other hand, let the ions pass freely.

Step-by-step solution

Introduction

A set of biological membrane proteins that allow the passive passage of water, ions, or other solutes down to their electric concentration across the membrane is known as a channel. Pumps are transporters that move ions or solutes from low to high concentrations across a biological membrane against an electrochemical gradient.

Movement of ions through channels

Inorganics, water, and a few other biomolecules are transported through the cell membrane viabiological membranes. Two distinct membrane proteins control the transportation flow. Transporters and channels are what they are. Through the diffusion process, channels generate small hydrophilic holes across the membrane, allowing such molecules to flow.

Specific energy-driven pumps are generated by ion gradients across the cell membrane and are discharged through $N{a}^{+}$and $K^{+}$channels. The pumps could not keep up with the huge ion fluxes that were going through the open channel.

A channel is a pore that runs across the cell membrane and allows ions to pass freely. On the other hand, Pumps use anATP-dependent mechanism to close and open pores.

Conclusion

As a result, hydrolyzingATP and giving shape to the proteins that allow ions to pass through the membrane takes longer in the pump than in the channels. The ion transport through a pump isslower than through a channel.