Membrane 1 Flashcards
mechanism of facilitated diffusion
- substance binds to carrier protein
- the carrier protein closes and undergoes conformational change
- protein opens on other side and releases the substance
T/F.
Facilitated diffusion is a continuous process
false
it is not continuous because one side of the protein is always closed
Structure of channels
Channels contain:
1. 4-5 protein subunits
2. pore loops
3. central pore
what is important about pore loops in terms of selectivity of molecules
pore loops have physical properties that create a selectivity filter
ligand gated channel
these are important for synaptic transmission
Involves a ligand binding to a receptor which triggers an enzyme activation or opening of a channel
Voltage gated channels
these are sensitive to potential differences and when these differences are detected, a change of conformation will cause the creation of a diffusion pore
How do voltage gated channels detect potential differences?
voltage sensing mechanism in the 4th transmembrane domain of protein- known as the S4 segment
What is the natural position of the s4 segment? why isn’t this always maintained?
The natural position of the segment is upwards, however when the cell is polarized the wings are attracted downwards to the negatively charged inner surface of the membrane
what happens when the cell becomes depolarized?
At -50mV, there is no longer sufficient electrical attraction to hold the s4 wing down- causing it to migrate up
This migration will open the channel, allowing for diffusion
“Kiss and Run” Exocytosis
- the vesicles dock to the membrane- filling up with substances
- the vesicles will move to a specific location on the membrane- kiss it and release some of its contents
- after releasing some of its contents the vesicles will run away and continue the process of kissing and running several times until the vesicle is emptied
Full exocytosis
the vesicle fully fuses to the cell membrane- therefore elongating the membrane
What happens when we elongate the membrane? How is the mechanism counterbalanced?
if we keep adding to the membrane, it will become very lose so there is some type of endocytosis action that cuts off the ends of the membrane to stabilize membrane surface area
Mechanism of Na/K pump
for every ATP molecule broken, 3 Na ions are moved out of cell and 2 K are pumped into cell
Is the inside or outside of the cell more negative?
The inside of the cell is more negative because at rest, the membrane is more permeable to k+ ions, leading to K+ leakage outside of the cell
Why is our resting membrane potential -70mV?
At rest, our membrane is most permeable to potassium, so we have an outward movement of K+ ions making the cell have a net negative charge
The k+ will move outward until there is equilibrium reached- this equilibrium is represented quantitatively by -90mV
This equilibrium is raised slightly by the contributions of Na+ ions which can move Na+ ions inward and this will also create its own equilibrium potential of +60mV-
there is other contributions of Cl- ions however the main driving forces are the Na+ and K+ ions that slightly compete, causing the resting membrane potential to sit at -70mV
Under what conditions can the permeability of Na+ ions outcompete K+ions
When we depolarize the cell (making it slightly more positive) we can open Na+ voltage channels, causing an influx of sodium inside the cell
process of opening Na+ channels
- at -70mV, these channels are closed
- At -55 mV (threshold potential) the channels open
- milliseconds later, inactivation gates imbedded in Na+ channels swing shut- preventing further influx
How do you reopen the inactivation gates?
you must go below the threshold potential
What is the connection between Na+ channels and action potentials?
In order to create an action potential, you need Na+ channels to make the cell excitable.
It is important for the rapid re-upswing of action potentials
What restores the membrane potential?
Na+ channels are quickly inactivated, causing K+ leakage as the main current, restoring the potential
What do you need in order to create an action potential
- voltage gated Na+ channels at high density
- depolarization of cell to -55mV
- potassium leakage channels to restore membrane potential
Is there a difference in magnitude between threshold stimulus and supra threshold stimulus
no, because of the all or nothing principle of action potentials- you either have them or you don’t
How does potassium chloride kill someone?
You can prevent the membrane from producing action potentials by keeping the membrane depolarized.
introduction of potassium chloride kills all potassium gradients, thus preventing the key mechanism that restores the membrane potential below threshold. This keeps the membrane in the absolute refractory period, preventing the generation of an addition action potential (or a heartbeat)