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Pores and Ion Channels

By: HWC, Views: 5890

Transmembrane channels, also called membrane channels, are pores within a lipid bilayer. The channels can be formed by protein complexes that run across the membrane or by peptides. They may cross the cell membrane, connecting the cytosol, or cytoplasm, to the extracellular matrix. Membrane po...

The Nerve Impulse

By: Administrator, Views: 11228

The action potential explained.

Requirements for nervous signals

By: HWC, Views: 6634

• The function of neurons is to allow communication between cells, thereby maintaining homeostasis. • Electrical signals, called membrane potentials, travel along the membranes of the neurons. • Voltage variability and distance traveled determine the type of nervous signal. 1. Graded...

Hydrogen bonds vs. Ionic bond

By: HWC, Views: 5467

The slight positive charge of a hydrogen atom in a water molecule can attract an atom with a slight negative charge, such as the nitrogen in a molecule of ammonia. This forms a hydrogen bond between the two atoms. Hydrogen bonds join the two strands of a DNA molecule. Although hydrogen bo...

Electrical changes in the heart

By: HWC, Views: 6494

• ECG: Graph of the voltage changes that occur during the cardiac cycle. • Readings are taken by electrodes placed on the surface of the body. • Electrodes detect voltage changes caused by the electrical activity of the heart. • P wave = atrial excitation (atrial depolarization). ...

Import of Dietary Glucose from Intestines to Bloodstream

By: HWC, Views: 6115

• Membranes have hydrophobic interiors. which resist the passage of hydrophilic compounds and ions. • However. transporter membrane proteins facilitate the passage of these molecules. • Passive transporters accelerate diffusion of molecules towards equilibrium (decrease a concentrat...

Secondary Active Transport

By: HWC, Views: 7189

Energy stored (in a hydrogen or sodium concentration gradient) is used to drive other substances against their own concentration gradients Secondary active transport, is transport of molecules across the cell membrane utilizing energy in other forms than ATP. In many cells, antiporters mov...

Ionic bonds - role of ions in the body

By: HWC, Views: 6879

Ions • Atoms fill up the outer orbital by transferring electrons from one atom to another. • Atoms now bear a charge and are called ions. • Sodium ion, losing an electron, has a +1 charge. • Chlorine ion, gaining an electron, has a -1 charge. Formation • An ionic bond is t...

ATPase function - membrane transport, contractile proteins and synthesis

By: HWC, Views: 7050

• Energy from ATP is used to move ions across the cell membrane during active transport. • This membrane protein transports sodium out of the cell and potassium into the cell. As such, it is called a sodium-potassium pump. • Because this pump also acts as an enzyme to hydrolyze ATP it i...