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Updated: Feb 21, 2026

Application of Electrophysiology Measurement to Study the Activity of Electro-Neutral Transporters
Published on: February 3, 2018
Cell Membrane Transport Mechanisms: Ion Channels and Electrical Properties of Cell Membranes
Julita Kulbacka1, Anna Choromańska2, Joanna Rossowska3
1Department of Medical Biochemistry, Wroclaw Medical University, Chalubińskiego 10, 50-367, Wrocław, Poland. julita.kulbacka@umed.wroc.pl.
Abstract:
Cellular life strongly depends on the membrane ability to precisely control exchange of solutes between the internal and external (environmental) compartments. This barrier regulates which types of solutes can enter and leave the cell. Transmembrane transport involves complex mechanisms responsible for passive and active carriage of ions and small- and medium-size molecules. Transport mechanisms existing in the biological membranes highly determine proper cellular functions and contribute to drug transport. The present chapter deals with features and electrical properties of the cell membrane and addresses the questions how the cell membrane accomplishes transport functions and how transmembrane transport can be affected. Since dysfunctions of plasma membrane transporters very often are the cause of human diseases, we also report how specific transport mechanisms can be modulated or inhibited in order to enhance the therapeutic effect.
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