aquaporins
Membrane water channels
Aquaporins are proteins embedded in cell membranes that form channels for water molecules to pass through.
They allow cells to regulate water flow rapidly—far faster than water could diffuse through the membrane alone.
Found throughout living organisms, aquaporins are essential for processes like kidney filtration, plant water transport, and tear production.
Solvent crossing semipermeable barrier
- osmoregulationMaintaining internal solute balance
- tonicityOsmotic pressure difference
- osmotic pressurePressure from solvent movement
- concentration gradientDifference in solute density
hypotonic · hypertonic · isotonic · equilibrium · homeostasis · water balance
Movement via waterways
- permeabilityAbility to transmit fluids
- selectivityTendency to choose carefully
- gatingControlling access selectively
- hydrophilicTending to absorb water
Waste filtration by organs
- vasopressinFluid-conserving pituitary hormone
- antidiuretic hormonePituitary peptide reducing urination
- glaucomaPressure damages optic nerve
- cataractsSteep falls or eye opacity
Paths for transmission
- protein structureBiomolecule's three-dimensional form
- polypeptideAmino acid polymer
- amino acidsOrganic compounds forming proteins
- conformationStructural form or arrangement
folded · hourglass · monomer · asparagine · C-terminus · N-terminus
Outer layer of cytoplasm
- plasma membraneLipid bilayer enclosing cytoplasm
- phospholipidsLipids with phosphate groups
- intracellularWithin cell membranes
- extracellularOutside the cell membrane
Highest academic honor
- crystallographyStudy of atomic lattices
- expressionConveyed thought or feeling
osmosis
Solvent crossing semipermeable barrier
- osmoregulationMaintaining internal solute balance
- tonicityOsmotic pressure difference
- osmotic pressurePressure from solvent movement
concentration gradient · hypotonic · hypertonic · isotonic · equilibrium · homeostasis · water balance
water transport
Movement via waterways
- permeabilityAbility to transmit fluids
- selectivityTendency to choose carefully
- gatingControlling access selectively
kidney function
Waste filtration by organs
- vasopressinFluid-conserving pituitary hormone
- antidiuretic hormonePituitary peptide reducing urination
- glaucomaPressure damages optic nerve
channels
Paths for transmission
- protein structureBiomolecule's three-dimensional form
- polypeptideAmino acid polymer
- amino acidsOrganic compounds forming proteins
conformation · folded · hourglass · monomer · asparagine · C-terminus · N-terminus
cell membrane
Outer layer of cytoplasm
- plasma membraneLipid bilayer enclosing cytoplasm
- phospholipidsLipids with phosphate groups
- intracellularWithin cell membranes
extracellular · vesicles · endosomes · trafficking · localization
Nobel Prize
Highest academic honor
- crystallographyStudy of atomic lattices
- expressionConveyed thought or feeling