| ion channels | Gated, ion-selective glycoproteins that traverse membranes. The stimulus for channel gating can be a membrane potential, drug, transmitter, cytoplasmic messenger, or a mechanical deformation. Ion channels which are integral parts of ionotropic neurotransmitter receptors are not included. (12 Dec 1998) |
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| M channels | Voltage sensitive K channels inactivated by acetylcholine. ACh acting at muscarinic AChR's produces an internal messenger that turns off this class of K channel. A mechanism for regulating the sensitivity of cells to synaptic input. (18 Nov 1997) |
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| chloride channels | Cell membrane glycoproteins selective for chloride ions. (12 Dec 1998) |
| potassium channels | Cell membrane glycoproteins selective for potassium ions. (12 Dec 1998) |
| sodium channels | Cell membrane glycoproteins selective for sodium ions. Fast sodium current is associated with the action potential in neural membranes. (12 Dec 1998) |
| Alfven ion cyclotron instability | <radiobiology> An electromagnetic microinstability near the ion cyclotron frequency, driven by the ion loss cone in a mirror device. Acronym: AIC (13 Nov 1997) |
| aquo-ion | A hydrated ion; an ion containing one or more water molecules; e.g., Cu(H2O)42+. (05 Mar 2000) |
| gated ion channel | <physiology> Transmembrane proteins of excitable cells, that allow a flux of ions to pass only under defined circumstances. Channels may be either voltage gated, such as the sodium channel of neurons or ligand gated such as the acetylcholine receptor of cholinergic synapses. Channels tend to be relatively ion specific and allow fluxes of typically 1000 ions to pass in around 1ms, they are thus much faster at moving ions across a membrane than transport ATPases. (05 May 1997) |
| central metal ion | <chemistry> The metal ion to which the ligands are attached at the centre of a coordination complex. (09 Oct 1997) |
| voltage gated ion channel | <physiology> A transmembrane ion channel whose permeability to ions is extremely sensitive to the transmembrane potential difference. These channels are essential for neuronal signal transmission and for intracellular signal transduction. See: sodium channel. (18 Nov 1997) |
| gram-ion | <chemistry> The weight in grams of an ion that is equal to the sum of the atomic weights of the atoms making up the ion. (05 Mar 2000) |
| chromatography, ion exchange | Separation technique in which the stationary phase consists of ion exchange resins. The resins contain loosely held small ions that easily exchange places with other small ions of like charge present in solutions washed over the resins. (12 Dec 1998) |
| mobile ion carrier | <chemistry> A molecule that allows ions to cross lipid bilayers. There are two classes: carriers and channels. Carriers, like valinomycin, form cage like structures around specific ions, diffusing freely through the hydrophobic regions of the bilayer. Channels, like gramicidin, form continuous aqueous pores through the bilayer, allowing ions to diffuse through. See: ion channels. (18 Nov 1997) |
| common ion effect | <chemistry> The influence on an equilibrium by the presence of a substance which contains ions that participate in the equilibrium. (09 Oct 1997) |
| complex ion | The colour, texture, and general appearance of the skin of the face. Origin: L. Complexio, a combination, (later) physical condition (05 Mar 2000) Previous: complex carbohydrate, complex closure, complex febrile convulsion, complexinNext: complex ion, complexity, complex learning processescomplex ion <chemistry> An ion formed by the combination of a central metal ion and ligands. (05 Jan 1998) |
| Heavy Ion Beams | <radiobiology> Particle beams using heavy (as opposed to light) ions. These can be used for inertial confinement fusion research. (10 Jan 1998) |