Cell Membrane and Cell 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 external environment. It is composed of a phospholipid bilayer with embedded proteins.

Front

What is diffusion?

Back

Diffusion is the process by which molecules spread from areas of high concentration to areas of low concentration until equilibrium is reached.

Front

What factors affect the rate of diffusion?

Back

Factors include molecule size, concentration gradient, temperature, and the medium through which diffusion occurs.

Front

What is osmosis?

Back

Osmosis is the diffusion of water across a semipermeable membrane from an area of low solute concentration to an area of high solute concentration.

Front

What is endocytosis?

Back

Endocytosis is a cellular process in which substances are brought into the cell by engulfing them in a membrane.

Front

What is exocytosis?

Back

Exocytosis is the process by which a cell expels materials in vesicles that fuse with the cell membrane.

Front

What is a concentration gradient?

Back

A concentration gradient occurs when there is a difference in the concentration of a substance across a space, leading to movement from high to low concentration.

Front

What is a hypotonic solution?

Back

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

Front

What is a hypertonic solution?

Back

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

Front

What is isotonic solution?

Back

An isotonic solution has equal concentrations of solutes on both sides of a membrane, resulting in no net movement of water.