Carrier Proteins in AP Biology

Definition

Carrier proteins bind to molecules and change shape to shuttle them across the cell's membranes. They assist in facilitated diffusion and active transport.

Related terms

Uniporters: These are carrier proteins that transport a single type of molecule in one direction across the membrane.

Symporters: These are integral membrane proteins that move two or more ions or molecules in the same direction across the membrane.

Antiporters: These are integral membrane proteins involved in secondary active transport of two or more different molecules or ions in different directions across a plasma membrane.