Passive Transport

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 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.

Front

What is diffusion?

Back

Diffusion is the movement of particles from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration until equilibrium is reached.

Front

What does it mean when a cell is in equilibrium?

Back

Equilibrium in a cell means that the concentration of substances is equal inside and outside the cell, resulting in no net movement of substances.

Front

What are the main components of the cell membrane?

Back

The cell membrane is primarily composed of lipids and proteins, forming a lipid bilayer that is selectively permeable.

Front

What is a hypertonic solution?

Back

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

Front

What is a hypotonic solution?

Back

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

Front

What is an isotonic solution?

Back

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

Front

What happens to a cell in salt water?

Back

When a cell is placed in salt water (hypertonic solution), it loses water and may shrivel due to osmosis.

Front

What types of materials can move across a membrane via passive transport?

Back

Materials that can move across a membrane with passive transport include water, oxygen, and carbon dioxide.