When counseling patients on the proper use of nasal sprays, direct them to blow their nose immediately before and after the dose is administered.

Step 1 is to express the percentage concentration as a decimal or ratio

0.005% = 0.005 ÷ 100

Result at this step = 0.00005

Step 2 is to calculate the weight of the active ingredient in grams

Weight (g) = Total weight × Concentration

60 × 0.00005 = 0.003

Result at this step = 0.003 g

Step 3 is to convert grams (g) to milligrams (mg)

mg = 0.003 × 1000

0.003 × 1000 = 3

Result at this step = 3

Step 4 is to round to the nearest whole number

3 = 3

Answer: 3

Cotransport systems utilize transmembrane proteins to move solutes across the lipid bilayer via secondary active transport. These mechanisms rely on the electrochemical gradient established by primary pumps, such as the sodium-potassium ATPase. Symporters specifically facilitate the coupled movement of different species. This process is essential for the intestinal absorption of nutrients like glucose and amino acids against their concentration gradients.

Rationale:

A. Transporting a single molecule out of the cell is typically described as efflux or uniport if it moves down its gradient. It does not meet the definition of symport, which requires the coupled movement of multiple solutes. Efflux pumps are often involved in drug resistance mechanisms by actively removing xenobiotics from the intracellular environment using adenosine triphosphate.

B. Two different molecules in the same direction is the correct definition of symport. In this process, the movement of a "driver" ion, usually sodium or protons, down its gradient provides the energy to move a "passenger" molecule against its gradient. A classic example is the SGLT1 transporter, which moves sodium and glucose together into the epithelial cells of the small intestine.

C. Transporting two different molecules in the opposite direction is known as antiport or counter-transport. In this mechanism, one substance moves into the cell while another moves out, utilizing the energy from the inward gradient. An example is the sodium-calcium exchanger, which helps maintain low intracellular calcium levels to ensure proper myocardial relaxation and cellular signaling homeostasis.

D. Movement between the cytoplasm and the nucleus involves nuclear pore complexes and specific transport proteins called importins and exportins. This is a highly regulated form of translocation that requires Ran-GTPase molecular switches rather than symport mechanisms. Symport is a term specifically reserved for coupled membrane transport involving ions and small solutes across the plasma membrane.

E. Moving a single molecule into the cell is defined as uniport when mediated by a specific carrier protein like GLUT1. Symport specifically implies a "sym-" or "together" relationship between two distinct chemical species. While symport does move molecules into the cell, the defining characteristic is the coupled nature of two different substances moving in unison.