cell membrane & transport

Front

What is the cell membrane?

Back

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

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What is passive transport?

Back

Passive transport is the movement of substances across a cell membrane without the use of energy. It relies on the concentration gradient.

Front

What is facilitated diffusion?

Back

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

Front

What is osmosis?

Back

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

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What is endocytosis?

Back

Endocytosis is the process by which cells take in substances by engulfing them in a membrane-bound vesicle.

Front

What is exocytosis?

Back

Exocytosis is the process by which cells expel materials in vesicles that fuse with the cell membrane, releasing their contents outside the cell.

Front

What is an isotonic solution?

Back

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

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What is a hypertonic solution?

Back

A hypertonic solution has a higher concentration of solutes outside the cell than inside, causing water to move out of the cell and leading to cell shrinkage.

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What is a hypotonic solution?

Back

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

Front

What is active transport?

Back

Active transport is the movement of substances against their concentration gradient, requiring energy (usually in the form of ATP).