Cellular Transport

Front

What is cellular transport?

Back

Cellular transport refers to the movement of substances across the cell membrane, which can occur through various mechanisms such as diffusion, osmosis, and active transport.

Front

What is the difference between active transport and passive transport?

Back

Active transport requires energy to move substances against their concentration gradient, while passive transport does not require energy and moves substances along their concentration gradient.

Front

Define concentration gradient.

Back

A concentration gradient is the difference in the concentration of a substance across a space, which drives the movement of particles from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration.

Front

What happens to a cell in a hypertonic solution?

Back

In a hypertonic solution, water moves out of the cell, causing the cell to shrink.

Front

What is osmosis?

Back

Osmosis is the movement of water molecules across a semipermeable membrane from an area of lower solute concentration to an area of higher solute concentration.

Front

What is a hypotonic solution?

Back

A hypotonic solution has a lower concentration of solutes compared to the inside of the cell, causing water to move into the cell and potentially leading to cell swelling or bursting.

Front

What is an isotonic solution?

Back

An isotonic solution has an equal concentration of solutes inside and outside the cell, resulting in no net movement of water.

Front

What is facilitated diffusion?

Back

Facilitated diffusion is a type of passive transport that uses protein channels to help move substances across the cell membrane without the use of energy.

Front

What role do protein pumps play in active transport?

Back

Protein pumps are integral membrane proteins that use energy (usually from ATP) to transport ions or molecules against their concentration gradient.

Front

What is the significance of a semipermeable membrane?

Back

A semipermeable membrane allows certain substances to pass through while blocking others, which is crucial for maintaining homeostasis in cells.