Biology HL
Biology HL
4
Chapters
553
Notes
Theme A - Unity & diversity
Theme A - Unity & diversity
Theme B - Form & Function
Theme B - Form & Function
Theme C - Interaction &  Interdependence
Theme C - Interaction & Interdependence
Theme D - Continuity & Change
Theme D - Continuity & Change
IB Resources
Theme B - Form & Function
Biology HL
Biology HL

Theme B - Form & Function

Unlock Cellular Secrets Channel Proteins Explained!

Word Count Emoji
353 words
Reading Time Emoji
2 mins read
Updated at Emoji
Last edited on 14th Jun 2024

Table of content

What are channel proteins? 🚪

  • Imagine your cell as a fancy club, and the channel proteins are the VIP entrance.
  • These are integral, transmembrane proteins (they span the cell membrane).
  • They have a pore, like a tunnel, connecting inside and outside of the cell.

Why are they so picky? 🤔

The pore's size and its chemical environment are super selective.

  • Think of it like a VIP club that only lets in celebrities with blue shoes.
  • Example: A club only for sodium ions, leaving potassium ions outside in the queue!

Facilitated diffusion vs. simple diffusion💡

  • Facilitated Diffusion
    • Uses channel proteins for the cool VIP entrance.
    • It's like a slide: more go from higher concentration (top of the slide) to lower (bottom).
    • No energy spent! (No cell 'money' 💸 needed to let them slide).
  • Simple Diffusion
    • It’s like gatecrashers squeezing between the walls to get into the club.
    • They move between phospholipid molecules.

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IB Resources
Theme B - Form & Function
Biology HL
Biology HL

Theme B - Form & Function

Unlock Cellular Secrets Channel Proteins Explained!

Word Count Emoji
353 words
Reading Time Emoji
2 mins read
Updated at Emoji
Last edited on 14th Jun 2024

Table of content

What are channel proteins? 🚪

  • Imagine your cell as a fancy club, and the channel proteins are the VIP entrance.
  • These are integral, transmembrane proteins (they span the cell membrane).
  • They have a pore, like a tunnel, connecting inside and outside of the cell.

Why are they so picky? 🤔

The pore's size and its chemical environment are super selective.

  • Think of it like a VIP club that only lets in celebrities with blue shoes.
  • Example: A club only for sodium ions, leaving potassium ions outside in the queue!

Facilitated diffusion vs. simple diffusion💡

  • Facilitated Diffusion
    • Uses channel proteins for the cool VIP entrance.
    • It's like a slide: more go from higher concentration (top of the slide) to lower (bottom).
    • No energy spent! (No cell 'money' 💸 needed to let them slide).
  • Simple Diffusion
    • It’s like gatecrashers squeezing between the walls to get into the club.
    • They move between phospholipid molecules.

Unlock the Full Content! File Is Locked Emoji

Dive deeper and gain exclusive access to premium files of Biology HL. Subscribe now and get closer to that 45 🌟