CBIO3400 Lecture on Transport Across Biological Membranes

Vocabulary flashcards based on the lecture notes covering transport mechanisms across biological membranes.

Passive Transport

Movement of molecules across a cell membrane without the use of energy.

Active Transport

Movement of molecules across a cell membrane using energy, typically from ATP.

Facilitated Diffusion

Passive transport of molecules across a membrane via a protein transport mechanism.

Symporter

A type of transporter that moves two or more ions or molecules in the same direction across a membrane.

Uniporter

A transporter that carries a single type of molecule across a membrane.

Na+/K+ ATPase

An active transport protein that moves sodium ions out of and potassium ions into the cell against their concentration gradients.

Hydropathy Plot

A graphical representation used to predict transmembrane regions of a protein based on the hydrophobicity of its amino acids.

Ion Channels

Membrane proteins that allow ions to pass through the channel in response to stimuli, typically facilitating passive transport.

Aquaporins

Specialized channels that facilitate the transport of water across cell membranes.

Conformational Change

A structural change in a protein that occurs upon binding of a substrate or ligand, often enabling transport.

GLUT Transporters

A family of transporters that facilitate glucose transport into cells, often using concentration gradients.

Electrochemical Gradient

The gradient of electrochemical potential, usually for an ion that can move across a membrane.