key term - Electrochemical Gradient

Definition

An electrochemical gradient refers to the combined concentration and electrical gradient across a cell membrane, which determines the direction in which ions move.

Related terms

Active Transport:

Active transport is a type of membrane transport that requires energy expenditure by the cell to move substances against their electrochemical gradients.

Diffusion:

Diffusion is a passive process where particles move from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration, down their electrochemical gradient.

Facilitated Diffusion:

Facilitated diffusion is a type of passive transport that uses specific carrier proteins or channel proteins to allow substances to move down their electrochemical gradients.