Membrane Transport

These flashcards cover vital terminology and concepts related to membrane transport, including the mechanisms, protein functions, and the principles of solute movement across cell membranes.

Membrane Transport

The process of exchanging molecules between cells and their environment.

Lipid Bilayer

Structure of the plasma membrane, composed of fatty and nonpolar layers that create a barrier for hydrophilic molecules.

Concentration Gradient

The difference in the concentration of a substance between two areas, driving movement from high to low concentration.

Channels

Membrane proteins that allow specific ions or molecules to pass through based on size and charge.

Transporters

Membrane proteins that move specific molecules or ions across the membrane by binding to them and changing shape.

Passive Transport

Movement of solutes across a membrane without the use of energy, along their concentration gradient.

Active Transport

Movement of solutes against their concentration gradient, requiring energy input.

Osmosis

The movement of water across a semipermeable membrane from an area of low solute concentration to high solute concentration.

Electrochemical Gradient

A gradient that influences the movement of charged solutes, determined by both charge and concentration differences.

Sodium-Potassium ATPase Pump

A protein that consumes ATP to exchange Na+ and K+ ions across the plasma membrane, maintaining concentration gradients.

Gradient Driven Pumps

Transport systems that move solutes either in the same direction (symport) or in opposite directions (antiport) based on concentration gradients.

Aquaporins

Channel proteins that facilitate the transport of water across cell membranes.

Osmolarity

Total solute concentration within a cell, affecting water movement.

Symport

A type of gradient-driven pump where two different solutes move in the same direction across a membrane.

Antiport

A type of gradient-driven pump where one solute moves into the cell while another moves out.