aquaporin

(noun)

any of a class of proteins that form pores in the membrane of biological cells

Related Terms

Examples of aquaporin in the following topics:

  • Hormonal Regulation of the Excretory System

    • ADH travels in the bloodstream to the kidneys where it changes the kidneys to become more permeable to water by temporarily inserting water channels, aquaporins, into the kidney tubules.
    • Water moves out of the kidney tubules through the aquaporins, reducing urine volume.

  • Other Hormonal Controls for Osmoregulation

    • It acts by inserting aquaporins in the collecting ducts, promoting reabsorption of water.

  • Osmosis

    • Not surprisingly, the aquaporin proteins that facilitate water movement play a large role in osmosis, most prominently in red blood cells and the membranes of kidney tubules.

  • Kidney Function and Physiology

    • Water is also independently reabsorbed into the peritubular capillaries due to the presence of aquaporins, or water channels, in the PCT.

  • Facilitated transport

    • Aquaporins are channel proteins that allow water to pass through the membrane at a very high rate.