cotransport

noun

co·​trans·​port (ˌ)kō-tran(t)s-ˈpȯrt How to pronounce cotransport (audio)
-ˈtran(t)s-ˌpȯrt
: the coupled transport of chemical substances across a cell membrane in which the energy required to move a substance (such as glucose) against a gradient in concentration or in electrical potential is provided by the movement of another substance (such as a sodium ion) along its gradient in concentration or in electric potential
The sodium-linked glucose transporters are largely restricted to the intestine and kidney, where they actively transport glucose against a glucose-concentration gradient by using sodium cotransport as an energy source.Peter R. Shepherd and Barbara B. Kahn
see also cotransporter
cotransport transitive verb
or co-transport
cotransported or co-transported; cotransporting or co-transporting
glucose cotransported with two Na+ ions

Word History

First Known Use

1970, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cotransport was in 1970

Dictionary Entries Near cotransport

Cite this Entry

“Cotransport.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cotransport. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!