Membrane Transport

Front

What is membrane transport?

Back

Membrane transport refers to the movement of substances across a cell membrane, which can occur through passive or active mechanisms.

Front

What is the difference between hypertonic, hypotonic, and isotonic solutions?

Back

Hypertonic solutions cause cells to shrink, hypotonic solutions cause cells to swell, and isotonic solutions maintain cell size.

Front

Why is sea water considered hypertonic to human cells?

Back

Sea water has a higher concentration of solutes (salt) than human cells, leading to water moving out of the cells and causing dehydration.

Front

What is osmosis?

Back

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

Front

What role do aquaporins play in osmosis?

Back

Aquaporins are channel proteins that facilitate the rapid transport of water across cell membranes.

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 energy.

Front

What is active transport?

Back

Active transport is the movement of substances against their concentration gradient, requiring energy (usually from ATP).

Front

What happens to a cell in a hypertonic solution?

Back

In a hypertonic solution, water moves out of the cell, causing it to shrink.

Front

What happens to a cell in a hypotonic solution?

Back

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

Front

What is the function of the phospholipid bilayer in cell membranes?

Back

The phospholipid bilayer acts as a barrier to protect the cell and regulates the movement of substances in and out.