Cell Membrane and Cell Transport Flashcard

Front

What is passive transport?

Back

Passive transport is the movement of substances across a cell membrane without the use of energy. It occurs naturally due to concentration gradients.

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What is facilitated diffusion?

Back

Facilitated diffusion is a type of passive transport that uses protein channels to help move molecules across the cell membrane from high to low concentration.

Front

What is active transport?

Back

Active transport is the movement of substances across a cell membrane that requires energy, usually against a concentration gradient.

Front

What is osmosis?

Back

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

Front

What is diffusion?

Back

Diffusion is the movement of molecules from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration until equilibrium is reached.

Front

What happens to a cell in a hypertonic solution?

Back

In a hypertonic solution, a cell will lose water and shrink due to the higher concentration of solutes outside the cell.

Front

What happens to a cell in a hypotonic solution?

Back

In a hypotonic solution, a cell will gain water and may swell or burst due to the lower concentration of solutes outside the cell.

Front

What is a semipermeable membrane?

Back

A semipermeable membrane is a barrier that allows certain substances to pass through while blocking others, often used in biological contexts.

Front

What is the sodium-potassium pump?

Back

The sodium-potassium pump is an example of active transport that moves sodium ions out of the cell and potassium ions into the cell, using energy.

Front

What is endocytosis?

Back

Endocytosis is the process by which a cell engulfs material from its environment, bringing it into the cell.