Why is the sodium-potassium pump so important in the animal kingdom?
What will be an ideal response?
Answer: The sodium-potassium pump is also known as Na+/K+ ATPase. It is unique to animals because only animals possess the gene variants that can exchange Na+ for K+. In animal cells, the sodium-potassium pump creates an electrical potential across cell membranes and maintains the membrane ion gradients that are critical for the function of neurons and muscles. Sodium-potassium genes also allow for adaptations in relation to osmoregulation. For example, some species of fish can change the expression of their Na+/K+ ATPase genes when they change environments, thus allowing them to successfully move between freshwater and salt water at specific times in their life cycle.
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White blood cells that release histamine at the site of an injury are
A) neutrophils. B) eosinophils. C) basophils. D) lymphocytes. E) monocytes.
ANP is a hormone that causes
A. constriction of the afferent arterioles and release of renin. B. constriction of the afferent arterioles and inhibition of renin release. C. dilation of the afferent arterioles and release of renin. D. dilation of the afferent arterioles and inhibition of renin release.
________ filaments provide strength, stabilize the position of organelles, and transport materials within the cytoplasm; they are defined by their size rather than composition, which varies from cell to cell. (Note: Be sure the first letter of your answer is capitalized).
Fill in the blank(s) with the appropriate word(s).
What is the largest lymphatic organ in a child?
A) spleen B) adenoids C) thymus D) appendix