HB Passive and Active Transport

Front

What is passive transport?

Back

Passive transport is the movement of substances across a cell membrane without the use of energy, relying on concentration gradients.

Front

What is active transport?

Back

Active transport is the movement of substances across a cell membrane using energy, typically against a concentration gradient.

Front

Define concentration gradient.

Back

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

Front

What happens to red blood cells (RBCs) in a hypotonic solution?

Back

In a hypotonic solution, RBCs swell and may burst due to the influx of water.

Front

What is an isotonic solution?

Back

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

Front

What role does the Na-K pump play in cells?

Back

The Na-K pump actively transports sodium out of the cell and potassium into the cell, maintaining the necessary concentration gradients.

Front

What is osmosis?

Back

Osmosis is the diffusion of water 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 a type of passive transport that uses transport proteins to help move substances across the cell membrane.

Front

What is the significance of calcium in biological systems?

Back

Calcium is essential for various cellular functions, including muscle contraction, neurotransmitter release, and maintaining bone structure.

Front

What is the effect of drinking saltwater on red blood cells?

Back

Drinking saltwater leads to dehydration of RBCs as water moves out of the cells to balance the higher salt concentration outside.