Understand Cellular Transport Processes

Front

What is passive transport?

Back

Passive transport is the movement of substances across a cell membrane without the use of energy (ATP). It occurs along the concentration gradient, from high to low concentration.

Front

What is diffusion?

Back

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

Front

How does cholesterol move across the cell membrane?

Back

Cholesterol, being a lipid, diffuses easily into and out of cells by interacting with the nonpolar regions of phospholipids in the membrane.

Front

What is active transport?

Back

Active transport is the movement of substances against their concentration gradient, from low to high concentration, requiring energy (ATP) and often involving transport proteins.

Front

What is osmosis?

Back

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

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 or crenate due to the higher concentration of solutes outside the cell.

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 due to the lower concentration of solutes outside the cell.

Front

What is equilibrium in the context of cellular transport?

Back

Equilibrium is the state where the concentration of a substance is equal on both sides of a membrane, resulting in no net movement of the substance.

Front

What role do proteins play in active transport?

Back

Proteins, specifically transport proteins, facilitate the movement of substances across the cell membrane against their concentration gradient during active transport.

Front

What is the difference between endocytosis and exocytosis?

Back

Endocytosis is the process of taking substances into the cell by engulfing them in a vesicle, while exocytosis is the process of expelling substances from the cell by merging vesicles with the membrane.