Cell Membrane and Transport

Front

What is the cell membrane?

Back

The cell membrane is a biological membrane that separates and protects the interior of all cells from the outside environment. It is selectively permeable, allowing certain substances to pass while blocking others.

Front

What is diffusion?

Back

Diffusion is the process by which molecules move from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration until equilibrium is reached.

Front

What is facilitated diffusion?

Back

Facilitated diffusion is a type of passive transport that uses protein channels to help move substances across the cell membrane without the use of energy.

Front

What is active transport?

Back

Active transport is the movement of molecules across a cell membrane from a region of lower concentration to a region of higher concentration, requiring energy (ATP).

Front

What is osmosis?

Back

Osmosis is the diffusion 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 an isotonic solution?

Back

An isotonic solution has an equal concentration of solute compared to the inside of the cell, resulting in no net movement of water.

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What is a hypertonic solution?

Back

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

Front

What is a hypotonic solution?

Back

A hypotonic solution has a lower concentration of solute compared to the inside of the cell, causing water to move into the cell, which may lead to cell swelling or bursting.

Front

What is passive transport?

Back

Passive transport is the movement of substances across a cell membrane without the use of energy, including processes like diffusion and osmosis.

Front

What are protein pumps?

Back

Protein pumps are membrane proteins that actively transport ions or molecules across the cell membrane against their concentration gradient, requiring energy.