Active Transport

Cell membranes are selectively permeable. This means that they allow the
movement of some molecules freely across them, but do not allow the free
passage of others. In broad terms, there are three ways in which molecules
move across membranes. These are the processes
of diffusion, osmosis and active transport.

In this article, we will discuss active transport, and consider the clinical
relevance of this.

Mechanism of Active Transport

Active transport is the movement of molecules from an area of lower
concentration to a higher concentration, i.e. up a concentration gradient,
via specialised membrane proteins.

As this is against the concentration gradient, it cannot occur passively.

Therefore, active transport requires energy, which is provided by
the breakdown of ATP. Active transport is a highly demanding metabolic
process; some cells can use up to 50% of their energy on active transport
alone.

A key example of an active transporter is the sodium-potassium (Na/KATP-

ase) pump. This exports three sodium ions in return for two potassium ions.
This is key to maintaining the resting membrane potential.

Co-Transport
Some membrane proteins involved in facilitated diffusion or active transport
can carry multiple molecules or ions at once – this is known as “co-
transport”. Where the molecules move in the same direction, this is known
as “symport”. Where some molecules move one way and others move the
other, this is known as “anti-port”. The sodium-potassium pump is an
example of an antiporter.