Carrier Proteins

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.