Physiologists say that ions and neutral solutes can cross biological membranes via "transporters" and "channels." We tend to think about the difference between transporters and channels in terms of gating mechanisms. Ion channels exhibit a wide range of selectivity properties and permeation rates, but their gating at the most basic level can be thought of in terms of a single barrier or gate acting as a switch. When the gate is closed, ions can't permeate; when the gate is opened, a permeation pathway for ions allows flux, often at very high rates (up to 10~8/sec).
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