Q. Create a table showing the different membrane transport mechanisms.

Characterize them according to their mechanism and energy source, transporter,

function, and clinical and therapeutic significance.

TRANSPORT MECHANISM TRANSPORTER FUNCTION CLINICAL AND

MECHANISM AND ENERGY THERAPEUTIC
SOURCE SIGNIFICANCE
1. PASSIVE The small non It doesn’t require Many substances PASSIVE
TRANSPORT charged any membrane moves in and out TRANSPORT
A. SIMPLE molecules or proteins. of the cell Passive transport
DIFFUSION lipid soluble through diffusion helps in
molecules such as exchange maintaining
moves down the of oxygen and homeostasis of
concentration carbon dioxide the body. For
gradient across a between blood example, when
semi permeable and body tissues. we take oral
membrane in medicines, it
simple diffusion. diffuses and then
Hence it doesn’t it is absorbed by
require energy. our stomach and
bloodstream. It
also helps in the
reabsorbation.
Osmosis helps in
the reabsorbation
of water
molecules in the
kidneys.

B. FACILITATED The ions and Transport Through the

DIFFUSION small polar proteins (Channel transport
molecules proteins, gated proteins, it allows
moves down the channel proteins molecules such as
concentration and carrier glucose, sodium
gradient across a proteins) help to ions, chloride ions
semi permeable diffuse the to pass through
membrane by molecules in the the cell
the help of plasma membrane which
transport membrane. are very
proteins.It important for the
doesn’t require cell.
energy.
C. OSMOSIS The solvent It doesn’t require Osmosis helps in
moves across transporters. maintaining
the semi equilibrium as the
permeable water continues
membrane from to move through
a region of high the membrane
water until equilibrium
concentration to is reached.
low water
concentration.
Hence, it doesn’t
require energy.

2. ACTIVE The molecules Ion pumps or ion It helps to ACTIVE

TRANSPORT moves across channels such as transport metal TRANSPORT
the membrane sodium-potassium ions such as Na+,
A. PRIMARY against their pumps. K+, Mg++ and Ca+ The sodium
ACTIVE concentration + and distribute potassium pumps
TRANSPORT gradient by throughout the helps to maintain
directly utilizing body. cell potential and
ATP as energy helps to generate
source. action potential.
The impaired
function of active
transport of
hydrogen ions in
the cells of
collecting tubule
causes renal distal
tubular acidosis.
Hence, the
abnormal active
transport is
responsible for
various diseases

B. SECONDARY The substances Secondary active It helps in

ACTIVE are moved transporters: Na+/glucose
TRANSPORT against the Cotransporters transport and
concentration (symport) and Na+/H+
gradient but it is exchangers transport.
not powered (antiport). Sodium
directly by ATP. is the main ion for
The energy co transporters
depends upon and exchangers
the hence the
electrochemical transport proteins
potential are also called
difference that sodium- coupled
forms by cotransporters.
pumping ions in
and out of the
cell.
REFERENCES:
1. GUYTON, Arthur C – HALL, John E. Textbook of Medical Physiology. 13th
edition. 2016. ISBN: 978-1-4557-7005-2

2. MEFANET, C. (2020). Passive membrane transport - WikiLectures. Retrieved 17

September 2020, from https://www.wikilectures.eu/w/Passive_ membrane_
transport#

3. Active Transport | Anatomy and Physiology I. (2020). Retrieved 17 September

2020, from https://courses.lumenlearning.com/austincc-ap1/chapter/active-
transport/

SUBMITTED BY: SHRESTHA, SUBECHHYA

SEC: A2