| 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) |
|---|---|
| ion cyclotron emission | <radiobiology> As ions gyrate around in a magnetic field (see also larmor radius or cyclotron radius), they radiate radio-frequency electromagnetic waves. This is known as ion cyclotron emission, and can be measured to help diagnose a plasma. (09 Oct 1997) |
| ion diode | <radiobiology> Device for producing and accelerating ion beams for light ion drivers for inertial confinement fusion. Ions are produced in an anode plasma, extracted as space-charge-limited ion flow, and accelerated to the cathode, composed of a confined electron swarm, by an applied electric field. Millions of amperes of current at millions of volts have been produced this way. (27 Oct 1998) |
| ion exchange | Reversible chemical reaction between a solid, often an ion exchange resin, and a fluid whereby ions may be exchanged from one substance to another. This technique is used in water purification, in research, and in industry. (12 Dec 1998) |
| ion exchange chromatography | <procedure> Separation of molecules by absorption and desorption from charged polymers. An important technique for protein purification. For small molecules the support is usually polystyrene, but for macromolecules, cellulose, acrylamide or agarose supports give less non-specific absorption and denaturation. Typical charged residues are CM carboxymethyl) or DEAE (diethylaminoethyl). (27 Oct 1998) |
| ion exchanger | See: anion exchanger, cation exchanger. (05 Mar 2000) |
| ion exchange resin | <chemistry> A resin of polymers that havefixed charged groups which is used in chromatographic columns to separate ions. (27 Oct 1998) |
| ion exchange resins | <chemistry> High molecular weight, insoluble polymers which contain functional groups that are capable of undergoing exchange reactions (ion exchange) with either cations or anions. See: ion exchange, ion exchanger. (12 Dec 1998) |
| ion pump | A membranal complex of proteins that is capable of transporting ions against a concentration gradient using the energy from ATP. (05 Mar 2000) |
| ion pumps | Integral membrane proteins that transport ions across a membrane against an electrochemical gradient. (12 Dec 1998) |
| ion selective electrode | An electrode half cell, with a semi permeable membrane that is permeable only to a single ion. The electrical potential measured between this and a reference half cell (e.g. A calomel electrode) is thus the Nernst potential for the ion. Given that the solution filling the ion selective electrode is known, the activity (rather than concentration) of the ion in the unknown solution can be measured. Commercial ion selective electrodes frequently use a hydrophobic membrane containing an ionophore, such as valinomycin (for potassium) or monensin (for sodium). A pH electrode is made with a thin membrane of pH sensitive (i.e. Proton permeable) glass. (18 Nov 1997) |
| ion-selective electrodes | Electrodes which can be used to measure the concentration of particular ions in cells, tissues, or solutions. (12 Dec 1998) |
| ion transport | The movement of ions across energy-transducing cell membranes. Transport can be active or passive. Passive ion transport (facilitated diffusion) derives its energy from the concentration gradient of the ion itself and allows the transport of a single solute in one direction (uniport). Active ion transport is usually coupled to an energy-yielding chemical or photochemical reaction such as ATP hydrolysis. This form of primary active transport is called an ion pump. Secondary active transport utilises the voltage and ion gradients produced by the primary transport to drive the cotransport of other ions or molecules. These may be transported in the same (symport) or opposite (antiport) direction. (12 Dec 1998) |
| oxonium ion | <chemistry> A positively charged ion that is water with an additional hydrogen atom (H3O). (09 Oct 1997) |
| tetraethylammonium ion | A monovalent cation widely used in neurophysiology as a specific blocker of potassium channels. It is similar in size to the hydrated potassium ion and gets stuck (reversibly) in the channels. (18 Nov 1997) |