Phrase guide

ion channel

noun · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

A protein complex or single protein that spans between both sides of a cell membrane and allows specific ions to pass through.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: biochemistry, biology, chemistry, microbiology, natural-sciences, physical-sciences

Examples

  • 2008 Daniels, David. "Ion Channels Play Key Role in R&D". 1 June 2008. Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News, 28 (11), pg 24.; archived 2 January 2010. ISSN 1935-472X. OCLC 77706455. Ion channels, which facilitate this movement, are protein assemblies that penetrate the membrane and catalyze passage of specific ions such as sodium (Na+), potassium (K+), or calcium (Ca2+) into or out of the cell down the electrochemical gradient.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

7 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Bulgarian: йонен канал (jonen kanal) — membrane protein(s) allowing ions to pass
  • Chinese Mandarin: 離子通道 /离子通道 (lízǐ tōngdào) — membrane protein(s) allowing ions to pass
  • French: canal ionique — membrane protein(s) allowing ions to pass
  • German: Ionenkanal — membrane protein(s) allowing ions to pass
  • Hungarian: ioncsatorna — membrane protein(s) allowing ions to pass
  • Polish: kanał jonowy — membrane protein(s) allowing ions to pass
  • Russian: ио́нный кана́л (iónnyj kanál) — membrane protein(s) allowing ions to pass