Table of Contents
Difference Between Pinocytosis and Receptor Mediated Endocytosis
- The pinocytosis pathway involves cell drinking, where only fluids and dissolved nutrients are taken into a cell.
- Cells used Receptor-mediated endocytosis process for selective internalization of specific molecules.
| Topic | Pinocytosis | Receptor Mediated Endocytosis |
| Definition | Pinocytosis refers to the ingestion of liquid into a cell by the budding of small vesicles from the cell membrane. | The receptor-mediated endocytosis refers to an endocytotic mechanism in which specific molecules are ingested into the cell. |
| Also Known as | Pinocytosis is also knwon as cell drinking | The receptor-mediated endocytosis is also known as clathrin-mediated endocytosis. |
| Components to be Uptaken | Pinocytosis mainly uptakes liquids. | Receptor-mediated endocytosis mainly uptakes solutes. |
| Receptor Involvement | The receptors are not involved in pinocytosis. | The receptors on the cell membrane do involve in receptor-mediated endocytosis. |
| Selectivity | Pinocytosis is not a selective process. | Receptor-mediated endocytosis is a selective process. |
| Solute Intake | Solutes in the extracellular fluid enter into the cell through pinocytosis. | Selected solutes bind to the receptors and enter the cell during receptor-mediated endocytosis. |
| Vesicle Formation | Vesicles form through the invagination of the plasma membrane. | Vesicles form through the internal budding of the plasma membrane |
| Efficiency | Pinocytosis is a less efficient process | Receptor-mediated endocytosis is an efficient process. |
Similarities of Pinocytosis and Receptor Mediated Endocytosis
- Both of them are methods of endocytosis.
- Both Pinocytosis and Receptor Mediated Endocytosis use the cell membrane for the process.
- Both of them help in the uptake of proteins and other substances that cannot easily diffuse into the cell through the plasma membrane.
- Both of them have a high demand for cellular energy and they are categorized under active transport methods.
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