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Contributions to the theory of active transport: II. The gate type non-carrier mechanism and generalizations concerning tracer flow, efficiency, and measurement of energy expenditure

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Abstract

The gate type non-carrier mechanism, an active transport model, is discussed. In this mechanism, the actively transported particle passes through the gate itself by means of a series of reorganizations of the active transport mechanism. The net rate of transport, the rate of transport in either direction, and the efficiency of this model are analyzed. It is shown that on the basis of these analyses alone, this mechanism cannot be distinguished from a carrier mechanism.

Three generalizations which apply to many individual type active transport models are then discussed. These pertain to (1) the dependency of the flow in one direction on the cencentration of the particles on the opposite side of the membrane, (2) the possibility of very high efficiencies for these models independent of the rate of the active transport, and (3) the methods whereby the energy expended in the active transport may be experimentally found.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Committee on Mathematical Biology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, USA

    Clifford S. Patlak

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  1. Clifford S. Patlak
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This research was supported by the United States Air Force through the Air Force Office of Scientific Research of the Air Research and Development Command under contract No. AF 18(600)-1454. Reproduction in whole or in part is permitted for any purpose of the United States Government.

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Patlak, C.S. Contributions to the theory of active transport: II. The gate type non-carrier mechanism and generalizations concerning tracer flow, efficiency, and measurement of energy expenditure. Bulletin of Mathematical Biophysics 19, 209–235 (1957). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02477764

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02477764

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