Transporters, Pumps and Channels

A set of vocabulary flashcards based on key concepts from the lecture on membrane transport and electrolyte distribution.

Electrolytes

Mineral ions in solution that carry electrical charge, playing a crucial role in cellular functions.

Membrane Composition

The arrangement and types of lipids and proteins that make up the cell membrane, influencing its permeability and function.

Simple Passive Diffusion

The movement of molecules across the cell membrane without the aid of proteins and without energy, driven by concentration gradients.

Active Transport

The process of moving molecules across a membrane against their concentration gradient, requiring energy, usually in the form of ATP.

Facilitated Diffusion

The process of passive transport of molecules across a membrane via transport proteins.

Ion Channels

Protein structures that allow specific ions to cross the cell membrane passively, following their concentration gradient.

Secondary Active Transport

The use of the energy from the movement of one molecule down its gradient to move another molecule against its gradient.

Plasma Membrane Components

Various parts of the plasma membrane including lipid bilayer, proteins, and carbohydrates that contribute to its structure and function.

Concentration Gradient

A difference in concentration of a substance across a space, which drives the passive transport of molecules.

Impermeant Anions

Negatively charged particles that cannot easily cross the plasma membrane, influencing cell potential.