What is the difference between a protein channel and a transporter carrier?

Answer 1

Channel 1) Allow ions to flow down electrochemical gradient 2) Move ions across membrane very quickly (i.e., million ions/sec) 3) Needs no more than a single gate to control opening. 4) Can be selective for multiple ion types 5) Large domain movement is required to open or close gate(s). (conformational change) 6) Some gates are controlled by smaller structural change (ie. A single amino acid change) 7) Multiple transmembrane domain 8) Can be open to both sides of the membrane

Transporter 1) Move at least one of the ions it is transporting against its electrochemical gradient 2) Slower ions transporter than channels 3) Requires at least two gates to control opening. 4) Can be selective for multiple ion types 5) Large domain movement is required to open or close gates (conformational change) 6) Some gates are controlled by smaller structural change (i.e., A single amino acid change) 7) Must use some form of energy to move ions against its electrochemical gradient. 8) Multiple transmembrane domain 9) Virtually never open to both sides of the membrane Source: 1) http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v427/n6977 /full/427795a.html

Answer 2

Protein channels are transmembrane proteins that form pores in the cell membrane, allowing specific ions or molecules to pass through by facilitated diffusion. Transporter carriers, on the other hand, are membrane proteins that bind to specific molecules on one side of the membrane and undergo conformational changes to transport the molecules across the membrane through active transport. In summary, protein channels facilitate passive transport, while transporter carriers facilitate active transport.

Answer 3

Protein channels allow specific molecules to pass through via a pore-like structure, while transporter carriers bind to molecules and undergo conformational changes to transport them across cell membranes. Channels are usually selective for certain ions or molecules based on size and charge, while transporter carriers can facilitate the transport of a specific substrate in either direction.

Answer 4

Membrane Receptors are the uniquely shaped projection or cavity that fits the shape of only one specific molecule. They are used for Receptor-assisted endocytosis - which is the intake of a molecule that attach to proteins in the cell membrane. Carrier Proteins are a type of membrane protein that helps the movement of glucose molecules from where they are more concentrated to where they are less concentrated (which happens in facilitated diffusion). Both the membrane receptor and the carrier protein act as an assistance to the transport of materials.

Answer 5

The importance of this is to regulate the macromolecules in and out of membranesThe channel proteins and carrier proteins are important to the cell for transportation functions mainly. They will both be involved in transporting molecules or ions across the semi-permeable membrane of the cell.

Answer 6

Facilitated diffusion can occur through a carrier protein, as long as the process is passive.

However, active transport requires a carrier protein or protein pump which requires energy to function.

Answer 7

Transporters and channels exhibit specificity and saturation. They facilitate diffusion of effective solutes across membranes.

Answer 8

They both move molecules.

Answer 9

THEY SPAN ACROSS THE BIOLOGICAL MOLECULES