BIO1010 Reading Guide Module 11 Membrane Transport
1.Define:
. Permeability: The ability of a membrane to allow substances to pass through it. It refers to how
easily ions, molecules, or compounds can diffuse across a cell membrane.
A. Dynamic equilibrium: A state of balance between continuing processes where the rate of
forward reaction equals the rate of the reverse reaction. In terms of diffusion, it means that molecules
are evenly spread out but continue to move back and forth at equal rates.
B. Concentration gradient: The gradual difference in the concentration of solutes in a solution
between two regions. Molecules will typically move from an area of higher concentration to an area of
lower concentration.
C. Osmosis: The movement of water molecules through a semi-permeable membrane from an area
of lower solute concentration to an area of higher solute concentration, aiming to equalize solute
concentrations on both sides of the membrane
. Describe the process of diffusion and predict the direction of diffusion given a concentration
gradient.
1. The process by which molecules spread from areas of high concentration to areas of low
concentration. This movement continues until dynamic equilibrium is achieved. Given a concentration
gradient, molecules will move from the region of higher concentration to the region of lower
concentration until equilibrium is reached.
. Differentiate between simple diffusion and facilitated diffusion across a membrane.
• Simple Diffusion:
• The movement of molecules directly across the phospholipid bilayer of the cell
membrane without the assistance of proteins. Typically, small nonpolar molecules (e.g., oxygen, carbon
dioxide) move this way.
• Facilitated Diffusion:
• The movement of molecules across a cell membrane through transport proteins. This
process is used for molecules that cannot directly diffuse through the lipid bilayer, such as ions and large
polar molecules.
. Distinguish between active and passive transport across a cell membrane. Which uses energy?
• Passive Transport:
• The movement of substances across a cell membrane without the use of energy by the
cell. This includes diffusion, facilitated diffusion, and osmosis.
• Active Transport:
• The movement of substances against their concentration gradient, requiring energy
(usually in the form of ATP). This includes processes like the sodium-potassium pump.
. Describe hypertonic, hypotonic and isotonic solutions and explain what happens to a cell if
placed in each.
• Hypertonic Solution:
• A solution with a higher concentration of solutes compared to the cell’s cytoplasm. Cells
in a hypertonic solution will lose water and shrink (crenate).
• Hypotonic Solution:
• A solution with a lower concentration of solutes compared to the cell’s cytoplasm. Cells
in a hypotonic solution will gain water and swell, potentially bursting (lyse).
• Isotonic Solution:
• A solution with the same concentration of solutes as the cell’s cytoplasm. Cells in an
isotonic solution will have no net water movement and remain the same size.
1. Describe how the sodium potassium pump works.
The sodium-potassium pump moves three sodium ions out of the cell and two potassium ions into the
cell against their concentration gradients. This process requires energy from ATP.
. Explain why cells set up ion gradients with the sodium potassium pump.
Cells set up ion gradients with the sodium-potassium pump to maintain membrane potential, regulate
cell volume, and provide the necessary conditions for secondary active transport.
. Describe and distinguish between primary active transport and secondary active transport.
• Primary Active Transport:
• Directly uses energy (ATP) to transport molecules against their concentration gradient.
Example: sodium-potassium pump.
• Secondary Active Transport:
• Uses the energy stored in the concentration gradient of one molecule to drive the
transport of another molecule against its gradient. Example: glucose-sodium co-transport.
. When given an example of a substance at certain concentrations inside and outside of a cell,
determine the method and direction of transport.
• Example:
• If a substance has a higher concentration outside the cell than inside, it will typically
enter the cell via passive transport (e.g., facilitated diffusion if it’s a large or charged molecule). If a
substance needs to move from a lower concentration to a higher concentration, active transport will be
required.
. Compare and contrast endocytosis and exocytosis.
• Endocytosis:
• The process by which cells engulf substances into a pouch which then becomes a vesicle
inside the cell. This includes phagocytosis (cell eating) and pinocytosis (cell drinking).
• Exocytosis:
• The process by which cells expel materials in vesicles that fuse with the plasma
membrane, releasing their contents outside the cell.
