Facilltated Diffusion

Question 1

Define

Answer 1

A type of passive transport that involves the movement down the concentration gradient, however, with the help of a protein membrane because of the nature of the molecules that are trying to cross this membrane

Question 2

What is a protein channel

Answer 2

Pores/holes in the membrane that allow for this type of transportation of molecules to occur

Question 3

Carrier protein

Answer 3

Pushes the substance to the other side of the membrane by:

1. Binding to the substance
2. And then undergoing a conformational change in which the shape of the protein-membrane changes in order to transport the substance down its concentration gradient and onto the other of the membrane
3. Afterwards the membrane protein returns to its original

Question 4

Why is facilitated diffusion used for the transportation of some non-polar (hydrophobic) molecules, which are typically transported by means of simple diffusion, and explain how

Answer 4

Because:

1. It’s faster to use facilitated diffusion than simple diffusion
2. Through the use of a protein channels specifically dedicated to the type of substance being transported