Transport Across the Cell Membrane

Front

What is the main function of the cell membrane?

Back

The cell membrane controls what enters and leaves the cell, maintaining a stable internal environment through homeostasis.

Front

What are phospholipids?

Back

Phospholipids are molecules that make up the cell membrane, consisting of a hydrophilic (water-attracting) head and two hydrophobic (water-repelling) tails.

Front

What is passive transport?

Back

Passive transport is the movement of substances across the cell membrane without the use of energy, relying on concentration gradients.

Front

What is active transport?

Back

Active transport is the movement of substances against their concentration gradient, requiring energy (ATP) to occur.

Front

What is osmosis?

Back

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

Front

What is diffusion?

Back

Diffusion is the process by which molecules spread from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration.

Front

What are channel proteins?

Back

Channel proteins are integral membrane proteins that facilitate the transport of specific substances across the cell membrane.

Front

What is facilitated diffusion?

Back

Facilitated diffusion is a type of passive transport that uses channel or carrier proteins to help move substances across the cell membrane.

Front

What is endocytosis?

Back

Endocytosis is the process by which cells engulf substances from the outside environment, bringing them into the cell.

Front

What is exocytosis?

Back

Exocytosis is the process by which cells expel materials to the outside environment, often involving vesicles.