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Aquaporins are protein molecules embedded in the phospholipid bilayer of some cells. They transport water across the cell membrane.
A certain amount of water can cross the phospholipid bilayer of the membrane, but aquaporins considerably increase the rate of passage of water.
One type of cell in which aquaporins are found is in the epithelium of the human kidney, in the distal and collecting tubules. The antidiuretic hormone (ADH) stimulates epithelial cells to incorporate aquaporins into their membranes, increasing the uptake of water from the tubule into the cells, and therefore increasing the reabsorption of water into the body.
Aquaporins are also important in plant cells, facilitating the symplastic movement of water through the plant, i.e. the movement of water from cell to cell via cytoplasm.
Wiki User
∙ 9y ago
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoAs the name suggests, they're proteins that transport water in and out of the cell, and the do so selectively (meaning a random hydrogen ion won't be meandering through the protein). They actually regulate the flow of water.
If you're studying up on aquaporins and membranes, I'm guessing you know that water can be diffused into or out of the cell. But larger amounts of water travel through aquaporins.
Some aquaporins (aquaglyceroporins) also transfer the solutes in water, solutes that are relatively small (small being a couple of carbons, maybe 6-ish?) and uncharged, though it largely depends on the size of the aquaporin. Examples of solutes include, carbon dioxide, ammonia, urea (the first organic compound synthesized by man, and yes, a compound found in urine), and, as the name suggests, glycerol.
Wiki User
∙ 9y agoAquaporins selectively conduct water molecules in and out of cells.
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What allows water to cross the permeable membrane of an animal cell?
plasma membrane allows water to enter animal cell
What is the role of micro filaments in cell division?
they pull the cell membrane in
Why did the water in the vacuole leave the cell?
I assume you mean contractile vacuole.There are filaments and coat proteins that surround this vacuole and squeeze the water out of the cell by ATP powered contraction. The cell has a semipermeable membrane that water can pass through and also aquaporins to facilitate water's exit from the cell.
What are the special structures in the cell membrane that allow water and sugar pass through it made of?
These special structures are called protein gates or protein channels. Water is able to diffuse through the cell membrane since it is a small molecule. However, there are channels called aquaporins that allow water to enter the cell. A glucose molecule cannot just diffuse into a cell. There are glucose channels on the surface of the cell membrane that bind glucose molecules and allow them to enter the cell.
What is the movement of potassium into an animal cell requires?
The movement of potassium into an animal cell requires an energy source such as ATP or a proton gradient. Water passes quickly through cell membranes because it moves through aquaporins in the membrane.
What are membrane proteins that create a passageway across cell membrane?
Channel proteins.
What is aquaporins?
Aquaporins are protein molecules embedded in the phospholipid bilayer (cell membrane ) of some cells. They transport water across the cell membrane.
What are membrane proteins that create a passageway across cell membranes?
Aquaporins
What allows water to cross the permeable membrane of an animal cell?
plasma membrane allows water to enter animal cell
Why does water pass quickly through cell?
it moves through aquaporins in the membrane.
What channel proteins allow water to pass across the membrane?
Aquaporins
Water may move through membrane pores constructed by transmembrane proteins called?
aquaporins
Water passes quickly through cell membranes because?
The cell membrane has two phospholipids, with hydrophilic (water-loving) heads facing the outside while the hydrophobic tails point in. Water cannot pass through because of this characteristic. The hydrophilic "heads" attract water since they are polar, but the hydrophobic "tails" are non polar and reject water. H20 passes by means of a channel protein.
How do living cells with and without cell walls regulate water balance?
Well, water by itself cannot diffuse into the cell easily, because of its polarity. The cell membrane ultimately determines how much water goes in and out of the cell by aquaporins and other channel proteins. Remember, the membrane is selectively permeable.
What is the role of the cell membrane in cell membrane?
Acts as a protective layer and allows materials to enter or leave.
What cell part plays a role in diffusion?
The plasma membrane of a cell plays a role in diffusion.
What role do the cell wall and cell membrane play in a cell?
It is important to remember the following: Animal cell: Cell membrane, Plant cell: Cell membrane, cell wall. The role of a cell membrane is to monitor what exits and enters the cell and therefore maintain the internal environment of it, to contain the contents of the cell and to provide some sort of protection for it. The role of a cell wall which is unique only to plant cells, is to protect the cell inside and lend support to it so it can maintain its stucture.
