The generalist by didymus

[amtaff]

Found this puzzle on this site and am stuck on one. Thanks in advance for help received. 37d. The coupling of two molecules through a membrane (7). S?M?O?T. The Chambers Word Wizard has no matches for this combination but I've checked my answers and they look right.

[baitress]

The only answer that I can find is osmosis.
the definition of this from my dict. is:-
a process by which solvent molecules pass through a semi-permeable membrane.
I hope that this helps, regards, Roger

[Mctavish]

SYMPORT
A symporter is an integral membrane protein that is involved in movement of two or more different molecules or ions across a phospholipid membrane such as the plasma membrane in the same direction, and is therefore a type of cotransporter. Typically, the ion(s) will move down the electrochemical gradient, allowing the other molecule(s) to move against the concentration gradient. The movement of the ion(s) across the membrane is facilitated diffusion, and is coupled with the active transport of the molecule(s). It should be noted that although two or more types of molecule are transported, there may be several molecules transported of each type.


[edit]

[Mctavish]

I hope that helped you didn't intend putting so m,uch in the explanation.
Jean

[amtaff]

Brilliant answer-thanks

[bathtub]

When Word Wizard fails, it's worth trying

http://www.onelook.com/

Use the 'customise' link to set preferences and beware that it sometimes throws up scores of matches, many of them from foreign languages. This particular clue was easy to solve using Onelook, however.