Molecular Movement Flashcards
What happens in diffusion?
Down conc. gradient
Through lipid bilayer or protein channel / carrier
No energy required
What happens in active transport?
Against conc. gradient
Protein carrier
Requires energy (ATP)
What happens as extracellular concentration increases in passive transport?
Rate of influx increases in proportion
Linear relationship
How do you calculate rate of diffusion into cell?
Permeability coefficient multiplied by concentration gradient across membrane
Equation for rate of diffusion into cell:
Vinward = PΔS
Vinward = rate of diffusion into cell
P = permeability coefficient
ΔS = conc. gradient across membrane
How do you work out concentration gradient across membrane?
Outside concentration minus inside concentration
ΔS = [S]o - [S]i
What does rate of diffusion in passive transport depend on?
Thickness + viscosity of membrane
Size, shape, polarity + solubility in membrane of substrate
Concentration difference!!
What’s a partition coefficient?
Gives a measure of how well a substance dissolves in lipid or aqueous phase
How do you find partition coefficient?
Shake substance with oil and water mixture
Measure conc. of substance in oil and water after settling
Equation to find partition coefficient:
[X]oil
K = ————
[X]water
Why does water move more quickly than expected?
Intrinsic protein channels transport water (aquaporins)
What do aquaporins form in the membrane?
Tetramers - each monomer acts as a water channel
What happens in diffusion through aqueous membrane channels?
Substance stays in aqueous solution and passes through hydrophilic channels - allow rapid transport
How wide are aquaporins?
1x water molecule wide - too narrow to permit any hydrated ions to pass through
How many aquaporins have been found in the body?
13