They are literally channels for communication: Pore-forming proteins in living cells, termed ion channels, are embedded in the outer membrane of almost all cell types and play a crucial role in the ...

Ion channels enable passive ion flow towards equilibrium, which is driven by ion concentration differences across the membrane and the membrane potential (the difference electric potential between the ...

Despite being only a few nanometers in size, they are of fundamental importance for biological processes: Ion channels allow essential ions such as potassium and sodium to enter and leave our cells.