Cell Transport

Front

What is osmosis?

Back

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

Front

What happens to a cell in a hypotonic solution?

Back

A cell in a hypotonic solution will swell and perhaps burst (lyse) due to the influx of water.

Front

What is an isotonic solution?

Back

An isotonic solution is one where the concentration of solutes is equal inside and outside the cell, resulting in no net movement of water.

Front

What occurs when a cell is placed in a hypertonic solution?

Back

When a cell is placed in a hypertonic solution, water moves out of the cell, causing it to shrink.

Front

Define facilitated diffusion.

Back

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

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.

Front

Explain the term 'concentration gradient'.

Back

A concentration gradient is the difference in the concentration of a substance between two areas, which drives the movement of substances.

Front

What is the role of the cell membrane in transport?

Back

The cell membrane regulates the movement of substances in and out of the cell, maintaining homeostasis.

Front

What is the difference between passive and active transport?

Back

Passive transport does not require energy and moves substances down their concentration gradient, while active transport requires energy to move substances against their concentration gradient.

Front

What is a selectively permeable membrane?

Back

A selectively permeable membrane allows certain molecules or ions to pass through it while blocking others.