Cattle : âBeefâ cattle slaughtered at 18 months young; dairy cows slaughtered at 4 to 5 years young; Natural life span: 18 to 25+ years. Veal Calves: Slaughtered at 16 weeks young; Natural life span: 18 to 25+ years. Goats: Slaughtered at 3 to 5 months young; Natural life span: 12 to 14 years.
Definition of Ion channel. Ion channel: A protein that acts as a pore in a cell membrane and permits the selective passage of ions (such as potassium ions, sodium ions, and calcium ions), by means of which electrical current passes in and out of the cell.
ION CHANNELS. Trafficking of small charged molecules (ions) thru the cell membrane of neurons determine their ability to signal and respond to each other. The electric charges of ions are in fact responsible for the membrane potential and action potential. But since the cell membrane is almost totally impermeable to ions, there is a need to use specialized cellular devices that can transport ions in and out of the cell thru the membrane. These devices are called ion channels.