Related Concept Videos
01:19Ion Channels
The movement of ions like sodium, potassium, and calcium into and out of the cell is essential to maintain the electrochemical gradient in living cells. The ion channels—a class of membrane transport proteins—help maintain this ionic gradient for the smooth functioning of physiological activities such as maintaining cell size and volume, conducting nerve impulses, and gas and nutrient exchange.
Ion channels are specialized integral membrane proteins on the plasma membrane that allow specific...
Ion channels are specialized integral membrane proteins on the plasma membrane that allow specific...
01:25Cell Signaling in Plants
Plant cells communicate to coordinate their cycle of growth, flowering and fruiting, and activities in roots, shoots, and leaves in response to the changing environmental conditions. Plant signaling is distinct from animal signaling. Plants primarily utilize enzyme-linked receptors, whereas the largest class of cell-surface receptors in animals are G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs). Unlike animals, receptor tyrosine kinases are rare in plants. Instead, plants have a diverse class of...
01:24Non-gated Ion Channels
Ion channels are specialized proteins on the plasma membrane that allow charged ions to pass down their electrochemical gradient. Their main function is to maintain the membrane potential which is critical for cell viability. These channels are either gated or non-gated and can transport more than a thousand ions within milliseconds for the cellular event to occur.
Compared to the gated ion channels, the non-gated channels, also known as leakage or passive channels, have no gating mechanism.
Compared to the gated ion channels, the non-gated channels, also known as leakage or passive channels, have no gating mechanism.
01:24Non-gated Ion Channels
Ion channels are specialized proteins on the plasma membrane that allow charged ions to pass down their electrochemical gradient. Their main function is to maintain the membrane potential which is critical for cell viability. These channels are either gated or non-gated and can transport more than a thousand ions within milliseconds for the cellular event to occur.
Compared to the gated ion channels, the non-gated channels, also known as leakage or passive channels, have no gating mechanism.
Compared to the gated ion channels, the non-gated channels, also known as leakage or passive channels, have no gating mechanism.
02:12Short-distance Transport of Resources
Short-distance transport refers to transport that occurs over a distance of just 2-3 cells, crossing the plasma membrane in the process. Small uncharged molecules, such as oxygen, carbon dioxide, and water, can diffuse across the plasma membrane on their own. In contrast, ions and larger molecules require the assistance of transport proteins due to their charge or size. Transport across membranes also occurs within individual cells, playing a variety of essential roles for the plant as a whole.
01:19The Role of Ion Channels in Neuronal Computation
A postsynaptic neuron usually receives numerous impulses from several other presynaptic neurons. The axon hillock of the postsynaptic neuron integrates all these signals and determines the likelihood of firing an action potential.
Sometimes a single EPSP is strong enough to induce an action potential in the postsynaptic neuron. However, multiple presynaptic inputs must often create EPSPs around the same time for the postsynaptic neuron to be sufficiently depolarized to fire an action potential.
Sometimes a single EPSP is strong enough to induce an action potential in the postsynaptic neuron. However, multiple presynaptic inputs must often create EPSPs around the same time for the postsynaptic neuron to be sufficiently depolarized to fire an action potential.
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Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 29, 2026
13:14
Measuring Fluxes of Mineral Nutrients and Toxicants in Plants with Radioactive Tracers
Published on: August 22, 2014
Potassium channels in plant cells.
1Centro de Biotecnologia y Genomica de Plantas, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Madrid, Spain. ingo.dreyer@upm.es
The FEBS Journal
|September 30, 2011
Summary
Plant cells utilize unique potassium channels for K(+) transport, unlike animals. This review highlights recent advancements in understanding plant voltage-gated potassium channels and their roles.
Area of Science:
- Plant Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Potassium (K(+)) is the most abundant cation in plant cells, crucial for various physiological processes.
- Plants possess unique transport systems for K(+) uptake and release, differing from animals.
- Potassium channels are well-characterized membrane proteins in plants, vital for K(+) homeostasis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent developments in plant potassium transport research.
- To focus on the role of voltage-gated potassium channels in plants.
- To highlight the ongoing need for further research into plant potassium channel function.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent studies on plant potassium channels.
- Focus on molecular characterization and functional studies.
Main Results:
- Potassium channels play an essential role in plant K(+) uptake and efflux.
- Significant progress has been made in characterizing plant potassium channels since 1992.
- Knowledge regarding plant potassium channels, particularly voltage-gated types, remains incomplete.
Conclusions:
- Plant potassium channels are critical for K(+) transport and cellular function.
- Voltage-gated potassium channels are a key area of ongoing research in plant physiology.
- Further investigation is needed to fully elucidate the complexities of plant potassium transport systems.