Spontaneous movement is DOWN a
concentration gradient (HIGH to LOW)
Size of ΔC (the concentration
gradient) affects the rate
Specific ΔC for each substance
Electrical Forces (Vm)
AKA Membrane Potential
Vm = the difference in VOLTAGE across a
membrane, measured in millivolts (mV)
The direction of Vm depends on
the sign of Vm and the sign of ions.
INSIDE the cell is more NEGATIVE
OUTSIDE the cell is more POSITIVE
The sign of Vm is the charge INSIDE the
cell RELATIVE to the outside
Most commonly, Vm = -70 mV
this attracts cations into the cell
and pulls anions out of the cell
Electrochemical Forces
Electrochemical Force = COMBINATION of ΔC and Vm
Direction of the
electrochemical force
If both the chemical and
electrical forces are the SAME,
then the electrochemical force is
in the SAME direction.
If the chemical and electrical forces are
OPPOSITE, then the electrochemical force
goes in the direction of the LARGER force.
This is when we need to calculate
the Equlibrium Potential (E)
THE NERNST EQUATION
Equilibrium Potential (E)
= (61/z) x (log(Cₒ/Cᵢ))
z = charge of ion (abs value)
Cₒ = concentration of ion outside cell
Cᵢ = concentration of ion inside cell
EXAMPLES: if E=-94 and Vm=-94 then it is at
equilibrium if E=-94 and Vm=-70 then ΔC is
stronger if E=-94 and Vm=-100 then Vm is stronger
The Equilibrium Potential is the
strength of the chemical gradient
Sign of Equilibrium Potential (E).
Rate of Transport
Types of Transport
PASSIVE TRANSPORT
Simple Diffusion
PASSIVE TRANSPORT through membrane
Movement is due to Thermal Motion
DOWN the concentration gradient:
from HIGH to LOW
Rate is affected by: lipid solubility, size and shape of
molecules, temperature, thickness of membrane
Facilitated Diffusion
Passive Transport using membrane proteins
Protein Carriers
Transmembrane proteins that
bind molecules on one side and
transport to other side by a
CONFORMATIONAL CHANGE
They have one or more
binding sites that are specific
The conformational change occurs
randomly due to thermal agitation
Can become saturated
Protein Channels
Also transmembrane proteins
that transport molcules
Transport via PASSAGEWAY or PORE
Also are specific, but there is no binding site,
therefore no conformational change is needed
and are faster
Rate is affected by:
Whether its via carrier or channel
The amount of carriers or channels, and
if the carriers become saturated
If the cell upregulates or downregulates the
number of carriers or channels
Drugs or hormones: calcium
channel blockers, insulin
Osmosis
PASSIVE TRANSPORT of water
Water moves DOWN the concentration
gradient: from HIGH to LOW concentration
The concentration gradient is determined by
the amount of solutes "STUFF" present
More "STUFF" Less H2O
Less "STUFF" More H2O
Osmolarity = the total solute concentraion
1 MOLE solute = 1 Osm
0.1M glucose and 0.1M sucrose = 0.2 Osm
0.15M NaCl = 0.15M Na+ + 0.15M Cl- = 0.30 Osm
HYPER-osmotic Solution: the solution has more
solutes (a higher osmolarity) than the cell.
The cell will shrink (crenate)
HYPO-osmotic Solution: the solution
has less solutes than the cell.
The cell will swell (lysis)
ACTIVE TRANSPORT
Primary Active Transport
DIRECTLY uses ATP to transport molecules
Uses a pump, similar to protein
carriers, but has an enzyme
EXAMPLE: Na/K/ATPase Pump
This pump transports Na+ and K+ in opposite directions
3 Na+ move OUT
2 K+ move IN
ATP hydrolysis is necessary to phosphorylate the
pump. The phosphorylation changes the
conformation of the pump, changing the binding site
Purpose of this pump: electrical signaling,
absorption of glucose, difference in Na+ and K+
concentration across the membrane, helps establish
the standard membrane potential (-70 mV)
Secondary Active Transport
Uses energy stored in ion gradient
Cotransport - Symport
Two substances move in the SAME DIRECTION
EXAMPLE: Sodium-Linked Glucose Transport
Sodium moving IN causes the gradient that
provides the energy for glucose to move IN
Countertransport
Two substances move in OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS
EXAMPLE: Sodium-Proton Exchanger
Sodium moving IN causes the gradient that
provides the energy for protons to move OUT
Movement against the concentration
gradient: from LOW to HIGH concentrations