Channel proteins transport water or certain ions down a concentration gradient from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration. In the case of water, the channel proteins are called aquaporins. Water molecules are small enough that they can also pass between the phospholipids in the cytoplasmic membrane by passive diffusion. <
Illustration of transport of Substances
Across a Membrane by Channel Proteins.jpg by Gary E. Kaiser, Ph.D.
Professor of Microbiology,
The Community College of Baltimore County, Catonsville Campus
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Based on a work at https://cwoer.ccbcmd.edu/science/microbiology/index_gos.html.
Last updated: Feb., 2021
Please send comments and inquiries to Dr.
Gary Kaiser