Friday, January 8, 2010

What is the significance of an electrochemical gradient?

Need help so that i can practice on test! I will vote for the best answer!


thanksWhat is the significance of an electrochemical gradient?
In cellular biology, an electrochemical gradient is a spatial variation of both electrical potential and chemical concentration across a membrane. Both components are often due to ion gradients, particularly proton gradients, and the result can be a type of potential energy available for work in a cell.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrochem鈥?/a>





The electrochemical gradient in a cell is the difference in charge and in substance content inside and outside the cell's plasma membrane. The charge portion of the electrochemical gradient is typically -70 mV, meaning that the inside of the membrane is negatively charged more than the outside by 70 millivolts. This gradient is primarily maintained by the Na+/K+ Pump.


http://everything2.com/e2node/electroche鈥?/a>

No comments:

Post a Comment