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Topic:

A list of specific types of transporters found in cell membranes is given below. Choose ONE of these and then describe in detail:

1. how the transporter works
2. whether it is an active or passive transporter
3. a specific type of cell that it can be found in and why it is important in this cell type
4. consequences for body function when this transporter type fails (due to a mutation that makes it non-functional).

Transporter types:

• Sodium/Potassium Pump (this one is quite straight forward so you should be able to give a very detailed description).
• GLUT transporters (choose one of these):
• GLUT 1
• GLUT 2
• GLUT 3
• GLUT 4
• Sodium/Glucose transporters in enterocytes
• Gated ion channels in the cochlea of the ear
• Voltage-gated Na+ channel
• Voltage-gated K+ channel
• Voltage-gated Ca+2 channel
• Chloride leak channels
• Hydrogen ion (H+) ATPase
• Dopamine transporter (DAT)
• Serotonin transporter
• Norepinephrine transporter

In some cases, you may be able to find a specific related disease. If you do not, think about why the transporter needs to be in the cell type you named and think about what would happen to the body if the transporter did not work.

Respond to Others: Many of the descriptions will be quite technical. It is your job to write the description for your transporter so that your classmates can easily understand it. This means you will probably have to look up quite a few terms and re-word them into “common” language.Compare and contrast the type of transporter you reviewed with those that others reviewed. Choose a transporter reviewed by another student and go into more depth on the mechanism by which it operates or the need for the transporter in the cell type in which it is found, and make corrections to another student’s post if they are incorrect about something they have posted.