Cell Transport

Front

What is tonicity?

Back

Tonicity refers to the ability of a surrounding solution to cause a cell to gain or lose water. It is classified as hypertonic, hypotonic, or isotonic.

Front

Define 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

Define 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

Define isotonic solution.

Back

An isotonic solution has the same concentration of solutes as the inside of the cell, resulting in no net movement of water.

Front

What is active transport?

Back

Active transport is the movement of molecules against a concentration gradient, requiring energy (usually in the form of ATP).

Front

What is passive transport?

Back

Passive transport is the movement of molecules across a cell membrane without the use of energy, following the concentration gradient.

Front

What is osmosis?

Back

Osmosis is the diffusion 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 facilitated diffusion?

Back

Facilitated diffusion is the process of passive transport of molecules across a cell membrane via specific transmembrane integral proteins.

Front

What role does energy play in active transport?

Back

Energy is required in active transport to move molecules against their concentration gradient, which would not occur spontaneously.

Front

What happens to a cell in a hypertonic solution?

Back

In a hypertonic solution, a cell will lose water and may shrivel due to the higher concentration of solutes outside the cell.