Question

In the human body, most cells take in very small amounts of iodine. Cells of the thyroid gland, however, depend on much higher iodine concentrations. Which method of transportation would you predict thyroid cells use to take in iodine? Construct an argument to support your prediction.

Answer 1

The iodide within the follicular cell moves towards the apical surface of the plasma membrane, to enter into the follicular lumen; this transport by a sodium independent iodide/chloride transporter called pendrin.