ELM4: Water, membranes and ions Flashcards
What is meant by the polarity of water?
The molecule has two different charges
Oxygen more electronegative so has more electrons so more negative
What is an ion?
Any atom or molecule that has gained or lost an electron which gives them charge
What are three uses of ions?
Carry signals in body
Act as energy store
Interact biochemically with proteins and other molecules
What are the two ways that ions can be biologically important?
Physiologically
Biochemically
What happens when a positive ion is placed in water?
Attracts oxygen from water molecules
Forms shell of water molecules around the ion
What happens when you put a negative ion in water?
Attracts all the hydrogen from water molecules
What is the relationship between the size of an ion and the hydration shell?
Small ions have larger hydration shells
What is the structure of membranes?
Lipid bilayers
Hydrophilic head and hydrophobic tail drives the formation
What is active transport?
Movement against concentration gradient using energy
What is passive transport?
Movement with the concentration gradient not using energy
How do pumps work?
Primary active transport using energy from ATP
What are some features of pumps?
Couple to ATP
Slow
Usually move cations
What is an example of a pump?
Sodium potassium ATPase
Generates calcium and potassium gradient
How do cotransporters work?
Secondary active transport
Use movement of ions to power transporters
How do ion gradients act as a source of energy?
Used to transmit information
Used to power cellular processes