Membrane Transport Mechanisms · USMLE Step 1

What does the term “carrier-mediated transport” typically refer to in cell physiology?

  1. Any membrane transport that uses vesicles
  2. Membrane proteins bind and carry specific solutes across the membrane
  3. Transport limited to water molecules only
  4. Passive diffusion straight through the lipid bilayer
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Correct answer: Membrane proteins bind and carry specific solutes across the membrane

Carrier-mediated transport involves specific transmembrane proteins (carriers) that bind particular solutes and undergo conformational changes to move them across the membrane, either passively (facilitated diffusion) or actively.

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