Paracellular transport

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Paracellular transport refers to the transfer of substances between cells of an epithelium.[1][2]

It is in contrast to "transcellular transport", where the substancees travel through the cell, passing through both the apical membrane and basolateral membrane.[3][4][5]

The distinction is in particular significance in renal physiology. Transcellular transport is more likely to involve energy expenditure than paracellular transport.[6]

Capillaries of Blood Brain Barrier have transcellular transport only in contrast with normal capillaries which have both - transcellular and paracellular transport. This is due to the presence of tight junctions in Blood Brain Barrier and Astrocytes that surround the capillaries.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Diagram at citracal.com
  2. ^ t_16/14158724 at Dorland's Medical Dictionary
  3. ^ Epithelial Transcellular Transport
  4. ^ Physiology at MCG 1/1ch2/s1ch2_37
  5. ^ http://www.mun.ca/biology/desmid/brian/BIOL2060/CellBiol11/CB11_19.html
  6. ^ Tubular Transport

[edit] External links

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