Unit 4B: Cell Transport

Front

What is osmosis?

Back

Osmosis is the movement of water molecules from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration across a semi-permeable membrane.

Front

What happens to a cell in a hypotonic environment?

Back

In a hypotonic environment, water moves into the cell, causing it to swell and potentially burst.

Front

What does dialysis tubing represent in cell transport?

Back

Dialysis tubing represents the cell membrane, allowing certain substances to pass while blocking others.

Front

Define tonicity.

Back

Tonicity is the concentration of solutes in a solution relative to the concentration of solutes inside a cell.

Front

What occurs in an isotonic environment?

Back

In an isotonic environment, the concentration of solutes is equal inside and outside the cell, resulting in no net movement of water.

Front

What is a semi-permeable membrane?

Back

A semi-permeable membrane is a barrier that allows certain molecules to pass through while blocking others.

Front

Explain the difference between hypertonic, hypotonic, and isotonic solutions.

Back

Hypertonic solutions have a higher concentration of solutes than the cell, causing it to shrink. Hypotonic solutions have a lower concentration of solutes, causing the cell to swell. Isotonic solutions have equal concentrations, resulting in no change.

Front

What is the role of proteins in cell transport?

Back

Proteins facilitate the movement of substances across the cell membrane, acting as channels or carriers.

Front

What is active transport?

Back

Active transport is the movement of molecules across a cell membrane against their concentration gradient, requiring energy.

Front

What is passive transport?

Back

Passive transport is the movement of molecules across a cell membrane without the use of energy, following the concentration gradient.