Basic Epithelial Transport Mechanisms Flashcards
Reabsorption and secretion involves crossing which 2 barriers?
- tubule epithelium
- endothelial cells lining the peritubular capillaries
How are the following handled in the tubules?
Sodium
Phosphate
PAH
Potassium
Sodium - filtration + reabsorption
Phosphate - filtration + reabsorption
PAH - filtration + secretion
Potassium - reabsorption + secretion
How can the filtrate be modified?
- reabsorption
- secretion
- combinations of the two
What are the 2 possible routes of crossing the epithelial barrier?
- paracellular route
- transcellular route
Paracellular route
- single step
- substance goes around cells through the matrix of the tight junctions
Transcellular route
- two steps
- step 1: across apical membrane facing lumen
- step 2: across basolateral membrane
How do substances move across membranes and cells? (4)
- diffusion
- transporters
- channels
- active transport
What are the driving forces for movement by diffusion?
- chemical gradient
- electrical gradient (potential)
Diffusion applies to what type of movement?
- across capillary walls (endothelial barrier)
- paracellular route (some transcellular)
Characteristics of transporters
- binds substance more strongly (specificity)
- carrier proteins undergo more elaborate conformational change
Name 3 types of transporters
- uniporters
- symporters or antiporters
- primary active transport
Characteristics of uniporters
- facilitated diffusion
- follows electrochemical gradient
- transporter protein facilitates movement
- permit movement of a single solute
Characteristics of symporters and antiporters
- move 2 (or more) substances across membranes
- at least one of the solutes moves down its electrochemical gradient
- provides energy to move 1 or more solutes up its electrochemical barrier
What type of transporter is sodium glucose linked transporter (SGLT)?
symporter - moves 1 glucose and 1 or 2 sodium molecules into cells
What type of transporter is sodium hydrogen exchange transporter (NHE)?
antiporter - moves Na+ into cells and H+ out of cells