Cell Membrane & Cell Transport

Front

What is the primary function of the cell membrane?

Back

The cell membrane controls the passage of materials inside and outside of the cell.

Front

What are phospholipids?

Back

Phospholipids are molecules that make up the cell membrane, consisting of a hydrophilic (water-attracting) head and two hydrophobic (water-repelling) tails.

Front

What does it mean for a membrane to be selectively permeable?

Back

A selectively permeable membrane allows some molecules to cross while preventing others from doing so.

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 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 is the role of cholesterol in the cell membrane?

Back

Cholesterol helps to stabilize the cell membrane's structure and fluidity.

Front

What are the two main types of transport across the cell membrane?

Back

The two main types of transport are passive transport (does not require energy) and active transport (requires energy).

Front

What is diffusion?

Back

Diffusion is the movement of molecules from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration.

Front

What is the difference between active and passive transport?

Back

Active transport requires energy to move substances against their concentration gradient, while passive transport does not require energy.

Front

What is a concentration gradient?

Back

A concentration gradient is the difference in the concentration of a substance across a space.