In: Biology
Epithelial cells of the intestine contain a transport protein, the sodium/glucose symporter, that allows for uptake of glucose from the intestinal lumen not the epithelial cells. Is this an active or passive transporter, and if active, what is the energy source for the transport and therefore the classification of this protein? What other protein needs to be present and active for the sodium/glucose symporter to work, and why?
The Sodium/Glucose transporter present at the apical membrane of intestinal epithelial cells is a secondary active transporter.
Thr energy source for this transport is an chemical potential developed by the export of Sodium ions into the bloodstream which is achieved by spending ATP. The downward chemical gradient allows cells to import Glucose without actively spending energy. That is why the classification of this protein is a secondary active transporter.
For the Na/Glucose pump to work, the other protein that is require is the Na/K pump that settd up the chemical gradient required for driving Glucose import into the cell.