Membrane channel

A membrane channel is an integral protein that traverses the entire phospholipid bilayer of the cell membrane one or more times. The channel allows hydrophilic substances (eg ions or water) to pass through the cell membrane along their electrochemical gradient. Some channels are equipped with gates (one or two gates), other channels do not have gates. The gate can be either in the open position (the channel leads) or in the closed position (the channel does not lead).

According to the stimulus that leads to the opening of the gates, we distinguish the following types of channels:


 * gated by ligand binding,
 * G-protein gated,
 * mechanically gated channels ("stretch"),
 * voltage gated channels.

Links

 * ws: Membránový kanál

Related articles

 * Facilitated diffusion
 * Drug absorption

Reference

 * ws:Kyselina_pangamová