Mediated transport
Mediated Transport[edit | edit source]
Mediated transport refers to the movement of substances across a cell membrane with the assistance of a specific transport protein. This process is essential for the regulation of the internal environment of cells and the maintenance of homeostasis.
Types of Mediated Transport[edit | edit source]
Mediated transport can be classified into two main types: facilitated diffusion and active transport.
Facilitated Diffusion[edit | edit source]
Facilitated diffusion is a type of passive transport that does not require energy. It involves the movement of molecules down their concentration gradient through a transport protein. This process is crucial for the transport of substances that cannot diffuse freely across the lipid bilayer, such as glucose and ions.
Active Transport[edit | edit source]
Active transport requires energy, usually in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), to move substances against their concentration gradient. This type of transport is vital for maintaining concentration differences across the membrane, which are necessary for various cellular functions.
Mechanisms of Mediated Transport[edit | edit source]
Mediated transport involves specific mechanisms that include:
- Carrier Proteins: These proteins bind to the substance to be transported and undergo a conformational change to move the substance across the membrane.
- Channel Proteins: These proteins form pores in the membrane, allowing specific molecules or ions to pass through by diffusion.
Importance of Mediated Transport[edit | edit source]
Mediated transport is crucial for numerous physiological processes, including:
- Nutrient Uptake: Cells rely on mediated transport to absorb essential nutrients such as glucose and amino acids.
- Ion Regulation: The transport of ions like sodium, potassium, and calcium is vital for nerve impulse transmission and muscle contraction.
- Waste Removal: Cells use mediated transport to expel waste products and toxins.
Related Pages[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
