Antiporter

Definition

An antiporter is a type of transport protein located in the plasma membrane that moves two different ions or molecules in opposite directions across the membrane. It plays a crucial role in maintaining cellular homeostasis by using one ion's gradient to drive the transport of another ion or molecule against its gradient.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Antiporters are integral membrane proteins involved in active transport.
2. They utilize the energy from one ion moving down its concentration gradient to move another molecule against its gradient.
3. A well-known example of an antiporter is the sodium-calcium exchanger (NCX).
4. Antiporters help regulate intracellular concentrations of various substances, such as ions and metabolites.
5. The function of antiporters is essential for processes like muscle contraction and nerve impulse transmission.

Review Questions

Related terms

Symporter: A transport protein that moves two different ions or molecules in the same direction across a membrane.

Uniporter: A type of carrier protein that transports a single type of substrate across a cell membrane.

Electrochemical Gradient: The combined effect of an electrical potential difference and a concentration gradient across a membrane, influencing ion movement.