Cell Transport

Front

What is the structure of a cell membrane?

Back

The cell membrane is primarily composed of a lipid bilayer, which includes hydrophilic (water-attracting) heads and hydrophobic (water-repelling) tails, along with embedded proteins and carbohydrate chains.

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

Define semipermeable membrane.

Back

A semipermeable membrane is a type of biological membrane that allows certain molecules or ions to pass through it by diffusion and occasionally by facilitated diffusion.

Front

What happens when the concentration of molecules is equal on both sides of a membrane?

Back

When the concentration of molecules is equal on both sides of a membrane, molecules will move across the membrane in both directions equally.

Front

What is the role of protein channels in the cell membrane?

Back

Protein channels facilitate the transport of specific substances across the cell membrane, allowing ions and molecules to pass through more easily.

Front

What is the difference between diffusion and facilitated diffusion?

Back

Diffusion is the movement of molecules from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration without the need for energy, while facilitated diffusion requires specific transport proteins to help move substances across the membrane.

Front

What is a lipid bilayer?

Back

A lipid bilayer is a double layer of lipids that makes up the cell membrane, with hydrophilic heads facing outward and hydrophobic tails facing inward.

Front

What is the function of carbohydrate chains in the cell membrane?

Back

Carbohydrate chains are involved in cell recognition and signaling, helping cells communicate with each other and respond to their environment.

Front

What is active transport?

Back

Active transport is the movement of molecules across a cell membrane from a region of lower concentration to a region of higher concentration, requiring energy (ATP) to do so.

Front

What is osmotic pressure?

Back

Osmotic pressure is the pressure required to prevent the flow of water across a semipermeable membrane due to osmosis.