Active Transport

 The movement of ions or molecules across a cell membrane in the direction opposite that of
diffusion, that is, from an area of lower concentration to one of higher concentration.
 It is the opposite of diffusion and osmosis. (Things that could easily move along their
concentration gradient.)
 Diffusion – movement of gases
 Osmosis – movement of water
 IT IS NOT A NATURAL DIRECTION SO A CELL WILL HAVE TO EXPEND ENERGY OR ATP TO MOVE A
SOLUTE AGAINTS ITS CONCENTRATION GRADIENT.
 ATP FORCES MOLECULES TO GO AGAINST THEIR CONCENTRATION GRADIENT.
 (This energy is harvested from ATP that is generated through cellular metabolism. )

PUMP - Transmembrane protein that drives the active transport of ions or small molecules across the
lipid bilayer.

THE SODIUM-POTASSIUM PUMP

The inside of an animal cell has a higher concentration of potassium ions (K+) and a lower concentration
of sodium ions (Na+) than the solution outside the cell.

THE PROCESS

1. The process begins when solute molecules on the cytoplasmic side of the plasma membrane
attach to a specific binding sites in the transport protein. (SOLUTE BINDING)

2. ATP then transfers a phosphate group to the transport protein. (PHOSPHATE ATTACHING)

3. Causing the protein to change shape in such a way that the solute is released on the other side
of the membrane. (TRANSPORT)

4. The phosphate group detaches, and the transport protein returns to its original shape. (PROTEIN
REVERSION)
THE PROPERTIES

1. Energy is needed in the form of ATP

2. Transport proteins are highly specific to the type of molecules they can transport across the
membrane.

3. The rate of transport reaches a maximum when all membrane transport proteins are being
used. (When the carrier is saturated (that is, when all solute-binding sites are occupied, the rate
of transport is maximal.)
4. Membrane transport proteins are sensitive inhibitors that can cause them not to function.

SECONDARY ACTIVE TRANSPORT

Secondary active transport, is transport of molecules across the cell membrane utilizing energy in
other forms than ATP. This energy comes from the electrochemical gradient created by pumping
ions out of the cell established by primary active transport.

In primary active transport, the energy is derived directly from the breakdown of ATP. In
the secondary active transport, the energy is derived secondarily from energy that has
been stored in the form of ionic concentration differences between the two sides of a
membrane

SYMPORT
  means that a molecule is allowed to be transported from high to low concentration region while
moving another molecule with it from low to high concentration. It in fact is pulling the other
molecule with it into the cell. (the molecules move in the same direction across the transport
membrane)

Sodium-Glucose co-transport mechanism. On its exterior side the transport protein has 2
binding sites, one for sodium and one for glucose. When both of these bind to the protein there
is a conformational change allowing the electrochemical gradient to provide the energy needed
to transport both of these molecules into the cell.

ANTIPORT

 means that 2 different molecules or ions are being transported at the same time but
opposite directions. One of the species is allowed to flow from high concentration to a
lower concentration (often Sodium) while the other species is transported simultaneously
to the other side. (The molecules are travelling in the opposite direction to each other,)

Na+-Ca2+ counter-transport where Na+ binds to the transport carrier protein on its exterior side,
and Ca2+ bound to the same protein on the membranes interior side. Once both are bound, a
conformational change occurs which releases energy and the sodium ion is transported to the
interior and calcium to the exterior. This transporter is situated on almost all cell membranes.