What is another word for ion channel?
Pronunciation: [ˈa͡ɪɒn t͡ʃˈanə͡l] (IPA) 
An ion channel is a transmembrane protein that allows ions to pass through the cell membrane in a selective manner. Synonyms for ion channel include ion transporter, ion pore, ion transmembrane protein, and ion gateway. These synonyms all describe a similar function of transporting ions across a cell membrane, but may be used in different contexts or by different fields of study. For example, ion transporter may be used in the context of molecular biology, while ion gateway may be used in the context of neuroscience. Regardless of the word used, ion channels are important for a variety of physiological processes, such as nerve signaling and muscle contraction, and are targets for many therapeutic drugs.
