sodium ions are moving with their concentration gradient with the use of a protein channel across a plasma membrane. Determine the type of membrane transport used to transport these sodium ions

Answer: the membrane transport used is "facilitated diffusion"

Explanation:

Facilitated diffusion transport (passive transport) is a spontaneous transport of molecules or ions across a biological membrane via membrane Proteins that act as mediators. These membrane Proteins (transporters or permeases) speed up the movement of solutes across the membrane by facilitating diffusion.

Sodium ion, glucose ions and some other ions need to be transported across d plasma membrane which is made of lipid bilayer that is impermeable. For this transport to occur, a mechanism of bypassing or creating an alternative path across the plasma membrane is needed. This mechanism is performed by permeases (membrane proteins).

The membrane proteins act as transport facilitator by lowering the activation energy for effective transport of polar compound and ions.

When there is difference between the concentration of the content of a cell and the solution surrounding the cell, there will be an Electrochemical gradient or Concentration gradient. Therefore, some solute will tend to move from the region of high concentration to the region of lower concentration through the cell membrane.

Such a movement is called Primary Active Transport