Comparison of transport
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Introduction[edit | edit source]
Passive Processes[edit | edit source]
Movement of substances down the concentration gradient (from high to low until equilibrium is reached). No energy is required for any of this processes.
Active Processes[edit | edit source]
Cellular energy (ATP) is used to pump substances against (up) the concentration gradient – from low concentration of solute to high concentration of solute.
Comparison Chart[edit | edit source]
| Active | Passive | |
|---|---|---|
| Types of transport | Vesicular transport (endocytosis/exocytosis), Pumps | Diffusion, Osmosis |
| Types of particles transported | proteins, ions, large cells, complex sugars | Small lipophilic molecules, water, small monosaccharides, Oxygen, Carbon dioxide,... |
| Examples | Endocytosis (Phagocytosis, Pinocytosis, receptor-mediated Endocytosis), Exocytosis, Sodium/Potassium-Pump | Simple diffusion, Facilitated diffusion (channel-mediated, carrier-mediated), Osmosis |
| Importance | In eukaryotic cells, amino acids, sugars and lipids need to enter the cell by protein pumps, which require active transport.These items either cannot diffuse or diffuse too slowly for survival. | It maintains equilibrium in the cell. Wastes (carbon dioxide, water, etc.) diffuse out and are excreted; nutrients and oxygen diffuse in to be used by the cell. |
| Functions | Transports molecules through the cell membrane against the concentration gradient so more of the substance is inside the cell (i.e. a nutrient) or outside the cell (i.e. a waste) than normal. Disrupts equilibrium established by diffusion. | Maintains dynamic equilibrium of water, gases, nutrients, wastes, etc. between cells and extracellular fluid; allows small nutrients and gases to enter/exit. |
Major mechanisms by wich molecules cross membranes[edit | edit source]
Channel Proteins[edit | edit source]
Channel Proteins are responsible for the transport of water-soluble substances such as glucose and electrolytes. Since they are ion selective, they contain a pore through which the solutes pass at a very high flux rate (compared to the flux rate of carrier proteins). Channel proteins only do passive transport down the concentration gradient. Some channels are also gated and/or selective. Gated means it opens only when appropriately stimulated. Selective means it only lets certain substances through. It can be seen as a tunnel. Only some examples for channels are: Ca2+ channel protein, slow Na+ channel protein, fast Na+ channel proteins, Nicotinic Acetylcholine (nACh) receptor, N-methyl-D-aspartate.
Carrier Proteins[edit | edit source]
Carrier Proteins transport both water soluble and insoluble substances. When transporting the solutes, they bind them on one side of a membrane, undergo conformational changes, and release them on to the other side of the membrane. Both active and passive transport - active means transport ion of the solute up the concentration gradient, whereas passive is the transport down the concentration gradient where no energy (ATP) is needed. Carrier only transport specific substances. Because of the more complex functioning the flux rate is slower compared to channel proteins. Furthermore they can be compared with enzymes in their working method and there can also be saturation, in case all carriers are "occupied" with a substance. Examples: Glucose Transporter 4 (GLUT-4), Na+-K+ ATPase, Ca2+ ATPase.
Comparison Chart[edit | edit source]
| Membrane channel Proteins/Ion channels | Carrier/Transporter |
|---|---|
| Integral membrane proteins that act as in channels (or ion pumps).
Permeability: • voltage-gated (e.g. sodium channel) • ligand-gated (via neurotransmitters) • mechanically-gated (via touch/vibration/strech-sensors) • randomly-gated (percentages of open/closed channels remain constant) • thermo-gated |
Integral membrane proteins wich release the bound molecules tot he other side oft he membrane via change in conformation.
Involve active transport using energy from breakdown of ATP: • Uniport: Only one molecule is transported • Symport: Movement of substance up its concentration gradient in the same direction as its coupling-ion (Na+ glucose transport) • Antiport: Movement of substance up its concentration gradient in the oppsoite direction as its coupling-ion (Na+/H+ transport)
• Carrier-mediated: Movement of small polar molecule down its concentration gradient by a carrier protein (e.g. transport of glucose into cell by glucose carrier)
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References[edit | edit source]
MESCHER, Antony. Junqueira's Basic Histology. 13th edition. 2013. ISBN 978-1-259-07232-1.
Notes: Biophysics. prof. RNDr. Evžen Amler, CSc. 2nd faculty of medicine, Charles University, Prague. Czech Republic.
Cytology I Lecture, Prof. Vajner
