Ions, Vitamins and Minerals Flashcards
What is diffusion?
The process whereby atoms or molecules intermingle because of their random thermal motion
What does the cell membrane act as?
Diffusion barrier, enabling cells to maintain cytoplasmic concentrations of substances different from their extracellular concentrations
What can pass more easily across a cell membrane?
Lipid soluble (non-polar) molecules can cross more easily than water soluble (polar) molecules
What is paracellular transport?
through tight junctions and lateral intercellular spaces
What is trans-cellular transport?
Through the epithelial cells
How can solutes cross cell membranes?
- simple diffusion
- facilitated transport
- active transport
What are channel proteins?
form aqueous pores allowing specific solutes to pass across the membrane
What are carrier proteins?
Bind to the solute and undergo a conformational change to transport it across the membrane
Which proteins allow for faster transport?
Channel proteins
What are the different types of ion channels?
Voltage gates Ligand gated (extra-cellular ligand) Ligand gated (intracellular ligands) Mechanically gated
What are the types of carrier-mediated transport?
Uniport
Symport
Antiport
What is primary active transport?
is linked directly to cellular metabolism (uses ATP to power the transport)
What is secondary active transport?
derives energy from the concentration gradient of another substance that is actively transported
What is facilitated diffusion?
Enhances the rate a substance can flow down its concentration gradient. This tends to equilibrate the substance across the membrane and does not require energy
Give example of primary active transporter?
Na+/K+ ATPase
Give examples of secondary active transporters?
SLGT-1 co-transport
HC03-/Cl- counter transport
Na+/H+ counter transport
Give examples of facilitates transport?
GLUT-5
GLUT-2
(Small bowel absorption of monosaccharides)
How does absorption of glucose and galactose take place?
Secondary active transport (carrier protein & electrochemical gradient). Carrier protein = SGLT-1 on apical membrane
How does GLGT1 work?
SGLT1 can transport glucose uphill against its concentration gradient (so effective when glucose at levels in the lumen are below those in the enterocyte
How is fructose absorbed?
facilitated diffusion
Carrier protein = GLUT-5 on apical membrane
Effective at relatively low concentrations of fructose in the lumen as tissue and plasma levels are low
What percentage of the water presented to the GI tract is absorbed?
99%
What is the absorption of water powered by?
Absorption of ions
Where is the greatest amount of water absorbed?
Small intestine
esp. jejunum
How are many ions absorbed?
Passive diffusion
How much water is absorbed in the small bowel?
8 litres