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Active Transport PDF
Active Transport PDF
Active Transport
Active transport is the movement of molecules or ions across a differentially permeable membrane up a concentration or electrochemical gradient. Active
transport is not passive, it requires ATP. In fact, in some cells nearly 50% of all the energy used is for active transport.
Active transport involves transport proteins. These proteins span the cell surface membrane (Fig 1).
glycocalyx
phospholipid bilayer
≈ 7.5 nm thick
1
128 Active transport Bio Factsheet
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OUTSIDE CELL
Transport protein Na+ K+
1 2 P 3 ATP 4 ATP 5
ATP ADP K+ ATP
+
Na
INSIDE CELL
The ATP donates energy-rich phosphate to the transport
protein thus activating it to bond with the specific solutes.
1 Sodium ions bind to the transport protein at specific binding site For each cycle of the pump, i.e. for each ATP molecule used, three
sodium ions are expelled and two potassium ions are brought in. The
2 This triggers hydrolysis of ATP into ADP and phosphate. The net effect is to make the inside of the cell less positively charged i.e.
phosphate binds to the protein, phosphorylating it. more negatively charged relative to the outside (Fig 3). Thus, an electric
current is generated across the membrane. In nerve cells, this is the
3 Phosphorylation causes the protein to change shape. This propels basis of the membrane potential.
the sodium ion to the other side of the membrane i.e out of the cell,
allowing it to enter the tissue fluid that bathes the cell. Fig 3 Sodium and potassium ions create the membrane potential
4 Potassium ions in the tissue fluid now bind to the protein at their (a) 3Na+ out
specific binding site (which is a different site to where the sodium Outside
ions bond).
The major examples of active transport that feature on A level and Scottish Higher specifications are summarised in Table 1.
2
128 Active transport Bio Factsheet
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Na+
1 Na+ is actively pumped out
of the pct cells on the side 1
blood plasma
furthest away from the Na+ cell of proximal
lumen of the pct. This convoluted tubule
wall (pct) filtrate 2 Glucose molecules and sodium
decreases the concentration
of sodium in the pct Na+ ions bind to the glucose
relative to the concentration transporter proteins in the
of sodium in the filtrate. membrane of the cells of the pct.
G The sodium ions diffuse down
Na+ their concentration gradient
from the filtrate into the cells.
Na+
2
G
3 The pull of the Na + ions is
3 sufficient to pull the glucose
molecules across the membrane
filtrate even though the glucose
molecules are moving against
their concentration gradient.
G lumen of
proximal
convoluted
Na+ 4 tubule
4 Once inside the cells the
5 The concentration of glucose and sodium ions
glucose builds up and filtrate
become detached from the
becomes greater than the transport protein.
concentration of glucose in
the surrounding blood G Na+ Na+
capillaries. Thus, glucose Na+
G G
diffuses into the blood. G
Na+
G G
G
G G
5 G
Acknowledgements:
This Factsheet was researched and written by Kevin Byrne.
Curriculum Press, Bank House, 105 King Street, Wellington, Shropshire, TF1 1NU.
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