Passive Transport Review

Front

What is passive transport?

Back

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

Front

What happens to saltwater fish in freshwater?

Back

The cells of saltwater fish would gain too much water, leading to potential cell damage or death due to osmotic pressure.

Front

What is 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 net movement of water.

Front

What is a phospholipid?

Back

A phospholipid is a molecule that makes up the cell membrane, consisting of a hydrophilic (water-attracting) head and two hydrophobic (water-repelling) tails.

Front

What does it mean for a solution to be hypotonic?

Back

A hypotonic solution has a lower concentration of solutes compared to the inside of the cell, causing water to enter the cell.

Front

What does it mean for a solution to be hypertonic?

Back

A hypertonic solution has a higher concentration of solutes compared to the inside of the cell, causing water to leave the cell.

Front

What is the role of the cell membrane in passive transport?

Back

The cell membrane allows certain substances, including water, to enter and leave the cell while maintaining the internal environment.

Front

What is osmosis?

Back

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

Front

What is the significance of concentration gradients in passive transport?

Back

Concentration gradients drive passive transport, as substances move from areas of higher concentration to areas of lower concentration without energy input.

Front

What is an example of a substance that moves via passive transport?

Back

Oxygen and carbon dioxide are examples of substances that move across cell membranes via passive transport.