Definitions

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun biochemistry Any of a class of proteins that form pores in the membrane of biological cells

Etymologies

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Examples

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  • A cell membrane channel that is permeable to water, but not to ions.

    October 2, 2008

  • "Most of you probably have no idea what an aquaporin is, but like so many things you don’t know about it’s fundamental to your day-to-day survival. An aquaporin is essentially a channel through which water rapidly diffuses. The channel itself is made of protein and is embedded in various cell membranes around your body, most notably the kidneys where they filter water from urine. Without aquaporins you would need to consume at least 190 liters (50 gallons) of water daily just to function. They’re also a fairly recent discovery, leading to their discoverer to be given the Nobel prize in chemistry in 2003." --School Feed Science, January 2012

    January 19, 2012