What is the Difference Between Paracellular and Transcellular Diffusion?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚Paracellular and transcellular diffusion are two types of transport processes that occur in living systems. The main differences between them are:
- Pathway: Paracellular transport refers to the transfer of substances across an epithelium by passing through the intercellular space between the cells. In contrast, transcellular transport involves the transport of molecules through both the apical and basolateral membranes of the cell.
- Energy Consumption: Paracellular diffusion is a type of passive diffusion, meaning that no energy is required for the movement of substances. On the other hand, transcellular diffusion often involves energy expenditure, as it can include active transport and transcytosis.
- Blood-Brain Barrier: Paracellular transport is relevant for the blood-brain barrier, which is a selective barrier that separates the blood from the brain extracellular fluid. Transcellular transport, however, is not directly related to the blood-brain barrier.
- Regulation: Paracellular transport can be enhanced through the displacement of zona occludens proteins, which can be affected by various enhancers such as medium-chain fatty acids, chitosans, and zona occludens toxin. Transcellular transport is regulated by transmembrane transport proteins that can be highly specific and often require energy inputs.
In summary, paracellular diffusion is a passive transport process that occurs between cells, while transcellular diffusion is an active transport process that occurs through cells. Energy consumption and regulation also differ between these two types of diffusion.
On this pageWhat is the Difference Between Paracellular and Transcellular Diffusion? Comparative Table: Paracellular vs Transcellular Diffusion
Comparative Table: Paracellular vs Transcellular Diffusion
Here is a table comparing the main differences between paracellular and transcellular diffusion:
| Feature | Paracellular Diffusion | Transcellular Diffusion |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Passive transport | Active transport |
| Pathway | Occurs through intercellular spaces between epithelial cells | Occurs through the cell itself, from the lumen of the intestine into the extracellular fluids |
| Energy | No energy required | Energy required |
| Example | Transport of substances across an epithelium | Transportation of solutes across epithelial cells, such as in the absorption of nutrients in the gastrointestinal tract |
Paracellular diffusion is a passive transport process that occurs through the intercellular spaces between epithelial cells, while transcellular diffusion is an active transport process that takes place through the cell itself.
Read more:
- Perfusion vs Diffusion
- Diffusion vs Active Transport
- Simple Diffusion vs Facilitated Diffusion
- Endocytosis vs Transcytosis
- Active Transport vs Facilitated Diffusion
- Gap Junctions vs Plasmodesmata
- Active vs Passive Diffusion
- Bulk Flow vs Diffusion
- Intracellular vs Interstitial Fluid
- Self Diffusion vs Interdiffusion
- Diffusion vs Osmosis
- Gap Junction vs Tight Junction
- Intracellular vs Extracellular Fluids
- Semipermeable vs Selectively Permeable Membrane
- Osmosis vs Diffusion in Biology
- Paracrine vs Juxtacrine
- Porins vs Aquaporins
- Diffusion vs Effusion
- Convection vs Diffusion