Facilitated Diffusion

Vocabulary flashcards covering facilitated diffusion, carrier proteins, channel proteins, and associated ion transport mechanisms.

Facilitated diffusion

A type of diffusion which requires assistance, occurring when a solute diffuses through a membrane from the region of high concentration to the region of low concentration by passing through a transport protein.

Transport proteins

Proteins such as channel and carrier proteins that are required to transport ions like $Na^+$, $K^+$, and $Cl^-$, as well as large molecules like glucose and amino acids across a membrane.

Carrier proteins

Proteins that do not use ATP when involved in facilitated diffusion and transport molecules through ligand binding, shape changing, release of ligands, and reset of receptor.

Process of carrier protein transport

The four-step process consisting of: (i) ligand binding, (ii) shape changing, (iii) release of ligands, and (iv) reset of receptor.

Channel proteins

Water-filled pores with fixed shapes that allow charged substances or ions through and are gated in order to control the movement of ions.

Channel protein (open and closed)

Diagram showing a gated channel protein spanning from the extensor to the cytoplasm in both open state (allowing $Na^+$ movement) and closed state.