Question

Describe the role played by protein pumps during active transport in plants.

Answer 1

Transport of water, minerals, oxygen and other essential materials from one part of the living body to another is essential to sustain life. This is achieved by the physiological process of transportation. Active transport occurs when materials are transported from a region of lower concentration to a region of higher concentration using electrochemical gradient or ATP. Active transport is mediated by proteins of the cell membrane that act as pumps or channels.

Complete answer:
Active transport always takes place against the concentration gradient, that is to say, essentials are carried from a region where their concentration is low to a region which is high in concentration of that particular substance.
Active transport can either be Primary or Secondary. Primary transport takes place using energy obtained from breakdown of ATP, while Secondary transport uses electrochemical energy to transport molecules or ions.
Active transport is brought about by specialized transmembrane proteins that span the entire cell membrane. These are special types of proteins that allow the passage of molecules across the membrane. In case of primary active transport, the proteins are referred to as ‘protein pumps’ because they ‘pump’ ions or molecules against their concentration gradient. Every protein pump works for specific molecules – they are very particular of what they carry with them.
In plants, these protein pumps work to maintain a lot of physiological processes in plants. One such example is the proteins that help to bring about the process of photosynthesis. These proteins function by creating a proton gradient across the thylakoid membrane. Another group of transmembrane proteins called ABC transporters work as ATP driven pumps in plants. They are present in mitochondria and chloroplast. These protein pumps work to eliminate pathogens and transport phytohormones.
Another example of active transport in plants occurs in the roots, where uptake of minerals and water is taken up across their concentration gradient from the soil.

Therefore, from the aforementioned examples, it is evident that the protein pumps play a very important role in active transport in plants.

Note:
Active transport is a very important aspect to all life forms. It takes place in plants and in animals. The uptake of glucose into the intestine is a classic example of active transport in animals. Active transport takes place through protein pumps or ion channels and uses concentration gradient or electrochemical gradient to complete its function.