SOL Review Units 1-9

Front

What is the plasma membrane?

Back

The plasma membrane is a biological membrane that separates and protects the interior of all cells from the external environment. It is composed of a phospholipid bilayer with embedded proteins.

Front

What is cellular homeostasis?

Back

Cellular homeostasis is the process by which cells maintain a stable internal environment despite changes in external conditions. This includes regulating factors such as pH, temperature, and ion concentrations.

Front

How does the plasma membrane contribute to cellular homeostasis?

Back

The plasma membrane contributes to cellular homeostasis by controlling the movement of substances in and out of the cell, thus maintaining the necessary conditions for cellular function.

Front

What is selective permeability?

Back

Selective permeability is a property of the plasma membrane that allows certain molecules to pass through while blocking others, thus regulating the internal environment of the cell.

Front

Define diffusion in the context of cellular transport.

Back

Diffusion is the passive movement of molecules from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration, which helps in the distribution of substances within the cell.

Front

What is osmosis?

Back

Osmosis is the diffusion of water across a selectively permeable membrane, moving from an area of lower solute concentration to an area of higher solute concentration.

Front

Explain the role of transport proteins in the plasma membrane.

Back

Transport proteins facilitate the movement of substances across the plasma membrane that cannot directly diffuse through the lipid bilayer, including ions and larger molecules.

Front

What is active transport?

Back

Active transport is the process of moving molecules against their concentration gradient, requiring energy (usually in the form of ATP) to do so.

Front

What is the difference between passive and active transport?

Back

Passive transport does not require energy and moves substances down their concentration gradient, while active transport requires energy to move substances against their gradient.

Front

Define endocytosis.

Back

Endocytosis is the process by which cells engulf external substances, bringing them into the cell within a vesicle.