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Ion Channels
Ion channels are membrane proteins that allow the movement of ions that cannot move through the lipid membrane on their own. The movement may be passive or selective. The most abundant ions that pass through are sodium, potassium, chloride, and calcium. The structure consists of a pore in the center that conducts the ion to help their movement through the channel and is surrounded by proteins to facilitate the proper ions movement.

Voltage Gated Channels
The main voltage gated channels are those for sodium, potassium, and calcium. Voltage gated channels are essential in the electrical excitability processes of a cell, i.e. action potential. The voltage gated ion channels will respond to changes in the cell’s membrane potential.

Mechanoreceptors
Mechanoreceptors is a sensor that responds to a physical stimuli or sensation. Mechanoreceptors may include adhesion molecule and intracellular proteins. Cells may also generate mechanical stimulation on the receptors. Mechanoreceptors work by binding with ligands.

Temperature Receptors
These receptors are ruled by what are called thermoTRP channels. These channels are able to absorb the heat into energy and open or close in response. Heat can be absorbed over several ranges and while there are no thresholds, the probability of a channel being open changes over these ranges.

Active Transport
The main purpose of an active transporter is to use energy to move ions across the channel. There are primary and secondary active transporters. The primary active transporters are referred to as “pumps,” such as the Na/K pump. The secondary active transporters work by using uphill and downhill movement simultaneously to move ions through the channel.