Primary active transport
Primary Active Transport
Primary active transport (pronunciation: /ˈpraɪmɛri ˈæktɪv ˈtrænspɔːrt/) is a type of cellular transport mechanism that involves the direct use of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to move molecules across a cell membrane against their concentration gradient.
Etymology
The term "primary active transport" is derived from the words "primary", meaning first in order or importance, "active", implying the need for energy, and "transport", referring to the movement of substances.
Definition
Primary active transport is a process that moves ions across a membrane and creates a difference in charge across that membrane, which is directly dependent on the energy from ATP hydrolysis. This process is distinguished from secondary active transport, where transport is coupled to an ion gradient created by primary active transport.
Function
The main function of primary active transport is to maintain the electrochemical gradient within the cell, which is essential for cellular functions such as neuron transmission and muscle contraction. The most common example of primary active transport is the sodium-potassium pump, which helps maintain the cell's resting potential.
Related Terms
- Sodium-potassium pump
- Cell membrane
- Adenosine triphosphate
- Electrochemical gradient
- Secondary active transport
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Primary active transport
- Wikipedia's article - Primary active transport
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