Active Transport Flashcards
What characterises active transport?
Requires input of metabolic energy (can be ATP-driven or ion-driven)
What is Na+, K+, Ca2+ and H+ transport directly coupled to during ATP-driven active transport?
ATP hydrolysis
What is Na+/K+ gradient of mammalian cells?
Have high [K+] and low [Na+] inside cell and opposite outside cell
What is purpose of Na+/K+ gradient?
- Controls cell volume
2. Electrochemical gradient –> makes nerve and muscle cells electrically excitable
How is Na+/K+ gradient maintained?
By Na+/K+ ATPase (an integral membrane protein)
Pumps 3 Na+ ions out and 2 K+ ions into cell –> polarises cell membrane (net +ve charge on outside)
Why is an input of energy required with Na+/K+?
Working against concentration gradient
How is Na+/K+ and ATP a coupled system?
ATP not hydrolysed unless Na+ and K+ are transported an vice versa
What is ion-driven active transport?
Movement of molecule is coupled to movement of ion (Na+ or H+) down its concentration gradients –> cotransporters
What are the 2 examples of cotransporters?
- Symport
2. Antiport
What is Na+/glucose transporter an example of?
Symport
What is Na+/Ca2+ exchanger an example of?
Antiport
What is a symport?
Explain in relation to Na+/glucose
Both molecules travelling in same direction
- Glucose comes across membrane in company with Na+
- Concentration gradient of Na+ is used to drive active transport of glucose
What is an antiport?
Explain in relation to Na+/Ca2+
Molecules travelling in different direction
- Na+ movement into cell can be coupled to movement of Ca2+ out of cell
- Na+/Ca2+ exchanger helps maintain a low concentration of Ca2+ inside cell (3 Na+ in and 1 Ca2+ out)
- Energy comes from electrochemical gradient
What is heart contraction caused by?
An increase of [Ca2+] within cell
What is needed to maintain [Ca2+] gradient?
Na+/K+ ATPase