Channel
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Channel (medicine)
Channel (pronunciation: /ˈtʃænəl/), in the context of medicine, refers to a pathway or conduit through which substances or signals are transported within the body. The term is derived from the Old French chanel, which means "pipe, tube, canal".
Types of Channels
There are several types of channels in the human body, each serving a unique function. Some of these include:
- Ion Channel: These are protein structures embedded in cell membranes that allow ions to pass through. They play crucial roles in various physiological processes, including the generation of nerve impulses and muscle contractions.
- Aquaporin: These are a type of protein channel that facilitate the transport of water across cell membranes.
- Gap Junction: These are specialized intercellular connections that allow for direct communication between the cytoplasm of two cells, which enables various molecules, ions, and electrical impulses to directly pass through a regulated gate between cells.
Related Terms
- Membrane Transport: This is the process of transporting particles (such as molecules, ions, etc.) across a membrane in a cell.
- Active Transport: This is the movement of ions or molecules across a cell membrane into a region of higher concentration, assisted by enzymes and requiring energy.
- Passive Transport: This is a movement of ions and other atomic or molecular substances across cell membranes without need of energy input.
- Osmosis: This is the spontaneous net movement of solvent molecules through a selectively permeable membrane into a region of higher solute concentration, in the direction that tends to equalize the solute concentrations on the two sides.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Channel
- Wikipedia's article - Channel
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