Secondary Active Transport

Definition: The type of active transport that allows molecules or ions to move
down their concentration gradient, from an area of higher concentration to an
area of lower concentration, without using energy.

EXPLANATION
1. It is also known as ion-coupled transport because there is no direct
usage of ATP.
2. It relies upon the electrochemical potential difference, created by pumping
ions in and out of the cell. A carrier protein is used to transport ions or
molecules across the cell membrane. Both antiporters and symporters are
used in secondary active transport.
Examples:
Movement of glucose in the proximal convoluted tubule.
It is used to store high-energy hydrogen ions in the
mitochondria of plant and animal cells for the production
of ATP.
Types
 Co-Transport
 Counter Transport

Co-Transport
The type of secondary active transport that transports two
molecules simultaneously across the membrane.
 In this type of transport one molecule goes down its
concentration gradient while dragging the other molecule
against its concentration gradient.
 Usually the second molecule does not want to go against
the concentration gradient but it can do so because of
coupling with the first molecule.
 It includes symporters and antiporters.
 Both molecules are transported in the same direction.
 EXAMPLES:
 Sodium-glucose Co-Transport
 Sodium-glucose pump is the most common example of
secondary active transport.
 Our cells have a higher sodium concentration outside than
inside the cell. Our cells have higher potassium
concentration within than outside of it.
 The sodium-glucose pump uses a carrier protein to bind
simultaneously to two sodium atoms and glucose. This is
because all molecules, including sodium and glucose, do
not want to go against their gradient. This means sodium
intends to enter the cell, while glucose does not.
 Since sodium wants to enter the cell, it drives glucose into
the cell with it.
 Resultantly, the sodium-glucose pump uses secondary
active transport because it combines the transport of
sodium down its concentration gradient with the transport
of glucose against its concentration gradient.
 This type of transport uses a carrier protein that is
considered a cotransporter.

2. Na+/phosphate Co-Transport

Counter Transport
The type of transport that transports two molecules in
opposite directions across the membrane.
 In this type of transport both molecules go down the
concentration gradient but in the opposite direction.
 It includes antiporters.
 Both molecules are transported in opposite directions.
 EXAMPLES:
1. Sodium-Calcium Counter Transport
 This type of transport allows three sodium ions to go down
its concentration gradient and into the cell.
 At the same time calcium ions are moved out of the cell.
 This Na-Ca transport is vital as it is used to keep calcium
levels low within the cell after an action potential.
2. Na+/H+ Counter Transportss