Modelling

Topics : Movement of substances across the plasma membrane

Subtopics : Active transport

Learning Outcomes :

a) To explain the movement of substances across the plasma membrane through the
process of active transport.

1. Active transport is the mediated process of moving particles across a biological

membrane against a concentration gradient.
It requires:
• a transmembrane protein (usually a complex of them) called a transporter
• energy. The source of this energy is ATP.
2. The energy of ATP may be used directly or indirectly.
• Direct Active Transport. Some transporters bind ATP directly and use the
energy of its hydrolysis to drive active transport.
• Indirect Active Transport. Other transporters use the energy already stored in
the gradient of a directly-pumped ion. Direct active transport of the ion
establishes a concentration gradient. When this is relieved by facilitated
diffusion, the energy released can be harnessed to the pumping of some other
ion or molecule.Some particles cannot across the phospholipid bilayer due to
the semi-permeable membrane just allow some particles to accross it.

The variable can be

manipulate to see the result
3. The Phosphate group from ATP used to activate the calsium transport channel.

The concentration of ATP and The movement of particles

CA+2 can be manipulate across the plasma membrane
can be seen by cliking on
‘load model’ button
 4. The calsium ions can easily move out with presents of ATP.

The calcium concentration

inside and outside the cell The chemical energy and the
can be obtain from this bar. voltage (electric potential)
occur in active transport can
be obtain from this bar