Pumps

Definition

Pumps are transmembrane proteins that actively transport ions and molecules across the plasma membrane against their concentration gradient using energy. They are crucial for maintaining cellular homeostasis and enabling various physiological processes.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Pumps require energy, usually in the form of ATP, to function.
2. The sodium-potassium pump is a well-known example of an active transport pump.
3. Pumps help maintain electrochemical gradients essential for processes like nerve impulse transmission.
4. Calcium pumps regulate intracellular calcium levels, which are vital for muscle contraction and signaling pathways.
5. Pumps can move substances into or out of cells depending on cellular needs.

Review Questions

• What type of energy do pumps typically use to move substances?
• Name a well-known example of an active transport pump and its function.
• Why are electrochemical gradients important in cellular activities?

Related terms

Active Transport: The process by which cells move molecules against their concentration gradient using energy.

Sodium-Potassium Pump: A type of pump that exchanges three sodium ions out of the cell for two potassium ions into the cell, crucial for maintaining membrane potential.

Electrochemical Gradient: The combined effect of electrical and chemical gradients across a membrane that influences ion movement.