Ion transporterIn biology, an ion transporter is a transmembrane protein that moves ions (or other small molecules) across a biological membrane to accomplish many different biological functions, including cellular communication, maintaining homeostasis, energy production, etc. There are different types of transporters including pumps, uniporters, antiporters, and symporters.
NeuronPrimary cell of the nervous systemA neuron (American English), neurone (British English), or nerve cell, is a cell that is excitable, firing electric signals called action potentials. Neurons form neural networks in the nervous system, mainly in the central nervous system. Neurons receive and conduct impulses.
IonAn ion () is an atom or molecule with a net electrical charge. The charge of an electron is considered to be negative by convention and this charge is equal and opposite to the charge of a proton, which is considered to be positive by convention. The net charge of an ion is not zero because its total number of electrons is unequal to its total number of protons.
Electric potentialElectric potential, also known as the electrostatic potential or electric field potential, is a field of scalar quantities through space, often denoted with the letter φ {\displaystyle \varphi } or V {\displaystyle V} , that gives, for each point in space, the electric potential energy per unit of electric charge that a point charge would have if it was located at that point: at every point, a particle of charge q particle {\displaystyle q_{\text{particle}}} would have the electric potential energy U particle when at the point = q particle V point {\displaystyle U_{\text{particle when at the point}}=q_{\text{particle}}\,V_{\text{point}}} .Goldman equationThe Goldman–Hodgkin–Katz voltage equation, sometimes called the Goldman equation, is used in cell membrane physiology to determine the resting potential across a cell's membrane, taking into account all of the ions that are permeant through that membrane. The discoverers of this are David E. Goldman of Columbia University, and the Medicine Nobel laureates Alan Lloyd Hodgkin and Bernard Katz.
Lipid bilayerThe lipid bilayer (or phospholipid bilayer) is a thin polar membrane made of two layers of lipidmolecules. These membranes form a continuous barrier around all cells. The cell membranes of almost all organisms and many viruses are made of a lipid bilayer, as are the nuclear membrane surrounding the cell nucleus, and membranes of the membrane-bound organelles in the cell.
PotassiumNa↑K↓Rbargon ← potassium → calcium
Cell membraneThe cell membrane (also known as the plasma membrane or cytoplasmic membrane, and historically referred to as the plasmalemma) is a semipermeablebiological membrane that separates and protects the interior of a cell from the outside environment (the extracellular space).
Semipermeable membraneSemipermeable membrane is a type of synthetic or biologic, polymeric membrane that allows certain molecules or ions to pass through it by osmosis. The rate of passage depends on the pressure, concentration, and temperature of the molecules or solutes on either side, as well as the permeability of the membrane to each solute. Depending on the membrane and the solute, permeability may depend on solute size, solubility, properties, or chemistry.
VoltThe volt (symbol: V), named after Alessandro Volta, is the unit of measurement of electric potential, electric potential difference (voltage), and electromotive force in the International System of Units (SI). DefinitionOne volt is defined as the electric potential between two points of a conducting wire when an electric current of one ampere dissipates one watt of power between those points.
Work (physics)In science, work is the energy transferred to or from an object via the application of force along a displacement. In its simplest form, for a constant force aligned with the direction of motion, the work equals the product of the force strength and the distance traveled. A force is said to do positive work if it has a component in the direction of the displacement of the point of application.
Cell (biology)Basic unit of life formsThe cell is the basic structural and functional unit of all forms of life or organisms. The term comes from the Latin word cellula meaning 'small room'. A biological cell basically consists of a semipermeablecell membrane enclosing cytoplasm that contains genetic material. Most cells are only visible under a microscope.
Thermal energyThe term "thermal energy" is often used ambiguously in physics and engineering. It can denote several different physical concepts, including: Internal energy: The energy contained within a body of matter or radiation, excluding the potential energy of the whole system. Heat: Energy in transfer between a system and its surroundings by mechanisms other than thermodynamic work and transfer of matter.*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.