Examples of Active Transport
Some examples of active transport processes are as follows:
- Sodium-Potassium Pump (Na+/K+ Pump): Found in animal cell membranes, it actively pumps sodium ions out of the cell and potassium ions into the cell, maintaining the cell’s resting membrane potential and regulating its volume.
- Calcium Pump (Ca2+-ATPase): This pump is responsible for actively transporting calcium ions out of the cytoplasm into the endoplasmic reticulum or extracellular space, playing a crucial role in muscle contraction and cell signaling.
- Hydrogen-Potassium Pump (H+/K+ ATPase): Found in the stomach lining, it actively pumps hydrogen ions into the stomach while moving potassium ions out, helping regulate gastric acidity for digestion.
- Proton Pump (H+ ATPase): Present in the plasma membrane of plant cells and various organelles, it actively transports protons (hydrogen ions) to maintain acidic conditions necessary for various cellular processes.
- Sodium-Glucose Transporters (SGLT): These transporters in the small intestine and kidney actively transport glucose against its concentration gradient by utilizing the energy stored in sodium ion gradients.
Active Transport
Active transport is a cellular process that uses energy mainly in the form of ATP, to move molecules or ions against their concentration gradients. It includes primary active transport, which directly uses energy for transport, and secondary active transport, which utilizes an electrochemical gradient to move other substances. It is essential for many physiological processes, including nutrient absorption in the digestive system, the transmission of nerve impulses, and the regulation of ion concentrations in cells.
Table of Content
- Active Transport Definition
- Types of Active Transport
- Examples of Active Transport
- Differences between Active Transport and Passive Transport