Cell Membrane & Cell Transport

Front

What happens to cells when a person drinks salty water?

Back

Cells shrink due to osmosis, as water moves out of the cells to balance the salt concentration.

Front

Define diffusion.

Back

Diffusion is the process where molecules move from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration.

Front

What does 'water loving' mean in biological terms?

Back

Hydrophilic refers to substances that are attracted to water and can interact with it.

Front

What does it mean for a membrane to be selectively permeable?

Back

A selectively permeable membrane allows some molecules to cross while preventing others from doing so.

Front

What are the two parts of a phospholipid?

Back

The two parts of a phospholipid are the hydrophilic head and the hydrophobic tail.

Front

What is osmosis?

Back

Osmosis is the movement of water molecules through a selectively permeable membrane from an area of low solute concentration to an area of high solute concentration.

Front

What is the role of the cell membrane?

Back

The cell membrane protects the cell, provides structure, and regulates what enters and exits the cell.

Front

What is a concentration gradient?

Back

A concentration gradient is the difference in the concentration of a substance across a space.

Front

What is facilitated diffusion?

Back

Facilitated diffusion is the process of passive transport of molecules across a membrane via specific transmembrane proteins.

Front

What does hydrophobic mean?

Back

Hydrophobic refers to substances that repel water and do not mix with it.