Cell Membrane Transport and Na+/K+ Pump

These flashcards cover key concepts related to cell membrane transport, including types of transport, mechanisms, and specific examples, particularly focusing on the Na+/K+ pump and gradients.

Selective Permeability

The ability of a membrane to allow certain substances to pass through while blocking others.

Passive Transport

Movement of substances across a cell membrane without the use of energy, moving with the concentration gradient.

Active Transport

Movement of substances against their concentration gradient, requiring energy typically in the form of ATP.

Diffusion

The process by which molecules spread from areas of high concentration to areas of low concentration.

Facilitated Diffusion

A process of passive transport that uses transport proteins to move molecules across the membrane.

Osmosis

The diffusion of water through a selectively permeable membrane.

Na+/K+ Pump

A primary active transport mechanism that moves sodium ions out of and potassium ions into the cell, creating an electrochemical gradient.

Primary Active Transport

Using energy directly from ATP to move solutes against their gradient.

Secondary Active Transport

Movement of substances using the electrochemical gradient created by primary active transport; also called co-transport.

Electrochemical Gradient

The gradient created by the concentration difference and charge difference of ions across a membrane.

Carrier Proteins

Proteins in the membrane that assist in the transport of substances across the membrane.

Glucose Gradient

The difference in concentration of glucose between the extracellular fluid and the cytoplasm used in secondary active transport.

Co-Transport

Simultaneous transport of two different substances across a membrane via a transporter protein.

ATP

Adenosine triphosphate; the primary energy carrier in living organisms.

ADP

Adenosine diphosphate; the product of ATP dephosphorylation, which can be phosphorylated to regenerate ATP.