ionophore
Membrane ion shuttle
An ionophore is a molecule that transports ions across cell membranes, which normally resist ion passage.
Some ionophores form channels; others physically carry ions through the lipid barrier.
They appear in biochemistry research and medicine—certain antibiotics work as ionophores, disrupting bacterial ion balance: The ionophore valinomycin selectively transports potassium.
Nineteenth element, symbol K
- calciumElement twenty, builds bones
- sodiumEleventh element, highly reactive
- magnesiumAlkaline earth metal
- cationPositively charged ion
anion · specificity · affinity · binding · discrimination · preference · recognition · chelation
One that transports
- channelPassage for transmission
- fluxContinuous change or flow
- translocationMovement to another place
- gradientRate of change across space
uptake · influx · efflux · facilitated · shuttle · exchange · passage · conductance
Two-layer molecular arrangement
- phospholipidPhosphate-containing membrane lipid
- lipidWater-insoluble organic compound
- permeabilityAbility to transmit fluids
- hydrophobicRepels aqueous substances
insertion · partitioning · diffusion · fluidity · cellular · mitochondrial · liposome · vesicle
Repeating in sequence
- peptideShort amino acid chain
- lipophilicAttracted to fatty substances
- hydrophobicRepels aqueous substances
- cavityEmpty space within
ring · backbone · conformation · chelate · ligand · organic · synthetic · cage
Kills or inhibits germs
- veterinaryRelating to animal healthcare
- resistanceCapacity to withstand force
- fermentationMicrobial sugar conversion
potassium
Nineteenth element, symbol K
- calciumElement twenty, builds bones
- sodiumEleventh element, highly reactive
- magnesiumAlkaline earth metal
cation · anion · specificity · affinity · binding · discrimination · preference · recognition · chelation · coordination
carrier
One that transports
- channelPassage for transmission
- fluxContinuous change or flow
- translocationMovement to another place
gradient · uptake · influx · efflux · facilitated · shuttle · exchange · passage · conductance · permeability
bilayer
Two-layer molecular arrangement
- phospholipidPhosphate-containing membrane lipid
- lipidWater-insoluble organic compound
- permeabilityAbility to transmit fluids
hydrophobic · insertion · partitioning · diffusion · fluidity · cellular · mitochondrial · liposome · vesicle
cyclic
Repeating in sequence
- peptideShort amino acid chain
- lipophilicAttracted to fatty substances
- hydrophobicRepels aqueous substances
cavity · ring · backbone · conformation · chelate · ligand · organic · synthetic · cage
antimicrobial
Kills or inhibits germs
- veterinaryRelating to animal healthcare
- resistanceCapacity to withstand force
- fermentationMicrobial sugar conversion
fluorescent
Emitting light when energized
- indicatorSign revealing status
- probeThorough examination or tool
- biosensorBiological chemical detection device
assay · spectroscopy · microelectrode · intracellular · measurement