Transport across the
cell membrane
Dr. Shruthila Kakade
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Introduction
• Transport of substances across the cell membrane is necessary to
maintain the normal functioning of the cells in our body.
• Lipid soluble substances, water & urea can easily pass through the
lipid bilayer of the cell membrane
• The lipid bilayer of the cell membrane is impermeable to lipid
insoluble substances such as ions & charged or polar molecules like
glucose
• These substances pass through specialized protein channels, carrier
proteins & active pump mechanisms
• Large macromolecules are transported through vesicles.
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Types
• Passive transport
• Diffusion – simple, facilitated
• Osmosis
• Active transport
• Primary
• Secondary
• Vesicular transport
• Endocytosis
• Exocytosis
• Transcytosis
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ANALOGY:
ENERGY NEEDED:
Active Transport
NO ENERGY NEEDED:
Diffusion
Osmosis
Facilitated Diffusion
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Diffusion-simple
• It is the movement of ions or molecules from a region of their high
concentration to a region of their low concentration, without the
expenditure of energy
• Movement is towards the concentration gradient until an equilibrium
is achieved.
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DIFFUSION
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Distilled water b) The molecules
Potassium diffuse out along the
manganate concentration
(vii) crystals gradient in all
direction.
a) The crystals starts to dissolve,
forming a region of high
concentration of solute
molecules.
c) Eventually the molecules
Purple
spread throughout the
solution
water uniformly.
A sample experiment to illustrate the physical process of diffusion
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Factors affecting the rate of diffusion
Factor Effect on the rate of simple diffusion
Diffusion gradient/ More the difference, the higher the rate
concentration difference
Size of molecules or ions/ The smaller the size, the higher the rate
Molecular weight Indirectly proportional
Temperature The higher the temperature, the higher the
rate
Diffusion medium Rate in gas > rate in liquid > rate in solid
Surface area The larger the surface area, the higher the
rate
Factor Effect on the rate of simple diffusion
Solubility Directly proportional
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FICK’S LAW OF DIFFUSION
The molar flux due to diffusion is proportional to the
concentration gradient.
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Facilitated diffusion
• Facilitated diffusion is the movement of specific molecules (or ions) across the
plasma membrane, assisted by a carrier protein.
• The direction of movement is down the concentration gradient of the
molecules concerned.
• No energy required.
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Facilitated diffusion
File:Scheme facilitated diffusion in cell membrane-en.svg
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Difference between
Carrier proteins & channel proteins
• Carrier proteins bind to larger molecules, and change their shape so
molecules can diffuse through.
• Channel proteins provide water filled pores for charged ions to pass
through
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Difference between
simple and passive diffusion
Simple diffusion Facililated diffusion
Mechanism Concentration gradient Concentration gradient
Through carrier molecule
Rate of diffusion Increase with increase in Reaches plateau
concentration gradient (saturation of carrier
protein)
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0smosis
• Osmosis is the movement of water molecules (solvent) through a
selectively permeable membrane/ semi-permeable membrane like the
cell membrane.
• Water diffuses across a membrane from an area of high concentration
to an area of low concentration.
• Semi-permeable membrane is
permeable to water, but not to the
solute i.e.,sugar
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Hypertonic Solutions
•Contain a high concentration of solute relative to another solution (e.g.
the cell's cytoplasm).
•When a cell is placed in a hypertonic solution, the water diffuses out of
the cell, causing the cell to shrivel.
Hypotonic Solutions
• Contain a low concentration of solute relative to another solution (e.g.
the cell's cytoplasm).
• When a cell is placed in a hypotonic solution, the water diffuses into
the cell, causing the cell to swell and possibly explode.
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Isotonic Solutions
• Contain the same concentration of solute as another solution (e.g. the
cell's cytoplasm).
• When a cell is placed in an isotonic solution, the water diffuses into
and out of the cell at the same rate.
• The fluid that surrounds the body cells is isotonic.
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Hypertonic solution Isotonic solution Hypotonic solution Remains of cell
surface membrane
Crenation: Red blood
cell shrinks and turns Red blood cell Swells up Haemolysis: Red blood
’spiky’ cell finally burst
CRENATION AND HAEMOLYSIS OF RED BLOOD CELL
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Active Transport
• Molecules move against the concentration
gradient (low to high)
• Energy must be provided
• Exhibit saturation kinetics
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Active Transport
• Active transport is divided into two types according to the source of the energy used to cause the
transport:
1. Primary active transport: They use the energy directly from the hydrolysis of ATP.
• Sodium potassium Pump
• Calcium pump
• Hydrogen Potassium pump
2. Secondary active transport: Energy utilised in the transport of one substance helps in the
movement of the other substance.
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• Co-transport-symport : The transport of Na+ via its concentration gradient is
coupled to the transport of other substances in the same direction .
Features: Carrier protein; Example: Sodium glucose Co-transport
• Counter transport :The transport of Na+ via its concentration gradient is coupled
to the transport of other substance in the opposite direction
Example: Sodium-Hydrogen counter transport
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Difference between Facilitated diffusion and Active
transport
• In both instances, transport depends on carrier proteins that
penetrate through the cell membrane, as is true for facilitated
diffusion. However, in active transport, the carrier protein functions
differently from the carrier in facilitated diffusion because it is
capable of imparting energy to the transported substance to move it
against the electrochemical gradient.
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Transport of macromolecules: Vesicular
transport
• Endocytosis
• Exocytosis
• Transcytosis
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Endocytosis/Exocytosis
• For substances the cell needs to take in (endo = in)
or expel (exo = out), that are too large for passive or
active transport
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Endocytosis
• The material makes contact with the cell membrane
• Cell membrane then invaginates
• Invagination is then pinched off leaving the cell membrane intact
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Ex:
• White Blood Cells surround and engulf bacteria by Phagocytosis.
• Pinocytosis – amino acids, fatty acids
• Receptor mediated endocytosis – LDL, Nerve growth factor, vitamins, hormones, HIV virus entering the T cell etc.,
Exocytosis
• The process of release of macromolecules from the cells to the exterior.
• Vesicles containing material to be exposed, bind to the cell membrane
• Area of fusion breaks down leaving the contents of the vesicle outside & the cell
membrane intact
• Reverse pinocytosis or emeiocytosis
• Requires calcium & energy
• Secretory granules, hormones
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