How do cells produce membrane potential? How is this state useful in nutrient translocation? (plants) Solution Plant cells have proton pumps in their plasma membrane these proton pumps use the energy of ATP to transport protons outside the membrane generating a proton gradient as well as electrical gradient and due to pumping of protons the outside of the membrane becomes positive and inside becomes negative allowing positively charged ions to move inside the cells negative charged ions like HPO3- or NO3- move inside along with protons that diffuse inside again due to concentration difference.

1. How do cells produce membrane potential? How is this state useful in nutrient translocation?
(plants)
Solution
Plant cells have proton pumps in their plasma membrane these proton pumps use the energy of
ATP to transport protons outside the membrane generating a proton gradient as well as electrical
gradient and due to pumping of protons the outside of the membrane becomes positive and inside
becomes negative allowing positively charged ions to move inside the cells negative charged
ions like HPO3- or NO3- move inside along with protons that diffuse inside again due to
concentration difference