Student: ___________________________ Period: __________ Date: _____________

Topic: Homeostasis and Transport

Two Types of Cellular Transport

The cell membrane is semi-permeable; some substances can pass through it freely, while others cannot. The movement
of substances that can pass freely through the membrane depends only on the concentration gradient for that
substance.

1. Passive Transport
– Does not use energy
– Moves from a high concentration to a low concentration
Examples:
 Diffusion: The movement of particles from regions of
higher density to regions of lower density across the cell
membrane
 Facilitated Diffusion: Transport proteins help ions and polar molecules diffuse
through the membrane
 Osmosis: The diffusion of water across
a selectively permeable membrane.

of Solutions

Cell shrinks Cell stays same Cell swells

2. Active Transport
– Requires energy
– Moves from a low concentration to a high concentration
Examples:
 Endocytosis: The movement of a large substance into a cell by means of a vesicle
 Exocytosis: The movement of material out of a cell by means of a vesicle

A
Circle the diagram letter that shows Endocytosis? A or B

Circle the diagram letter that shows Exocytosis? A or B

B
Student: ___________________________ Period: __________ Date: _____________

Sodium-potassium pump: One of the most important carrier proteins in animal cells. In nerve cells the pump is
used to generate gradients of both sodium and potassium ions. These gradients are used to propagate electrical signals
that travel along nerves.

Watch this cool animation on the sodium-potassium pump, and take the quiz! Record your answers to the
questions below as you take the quiz.
http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/9834092339/student_view0/chapter38/sodium-
potassium_exchange_pump.html

1. ____ 2. ____ 3. ____ 4. ____ 5. ____

In order for nerve cells and muscle cells to function properly, they require a high concentration of potassium ions inside
the cells and a high concentration of sodium ions outside the cells.
To maintain this condition, cells utilize sodium-potassium pumps embedded within their cellular membranes to move the
ions against their concentration gradients.
Student: ___________________________ Period: __________ Date: _____________

Topic: Homeostasis and Transport

KEY VOCABULARY AND Corresponding Details
MAIN IDEAS
active transport The movement of particles from an area of low concentration to an area of high concentration that
uses energy provided by ATP or a difference in electrical charges across a cell membrane.

carrier/transport Proteins embedded in the plasma membrane involved in the movement of ions, small molecules,
protein and macromolecules into and out of cells; also known as transport proteins. 

concentration
The graduated difference in concentration of a solute per unit distance through a solution.
gradient

diffusion The movement of particles from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration; a
natural result of kinetic molecular energy.

electrolyte  a substance that dissociates into ions when fused or in solution and thus becomes capable of

conducting electricity, an ionic solute.

endocytosis A process in which a cell engulfs extracellular material through an inward folding of its plasma
membrane. 

An organelle, containing folded membranes and sacs, responsible for the production, processing,
endoplasmic and transportation of materials for use inside and outside a eukaryotic cell. There are two forms of
reticulum this organelle: rough ER that has surface ribosomes and participates in the synthesis of proteins
mostly destined for export by the cell and smooth ER that has no ribosomes and participates in the
synthesis of lipids and steroids as well as the transport of synthesized macromolecules. 

equilibrium The condition in which all acting influences are balanced or canceled by equal opposing forces,
resulting in a stable system.

A process in which a cell releases substances to the extracellular environment by fusing a vesicular
exocytosis membrane with the plasma membrane, separating the membrane at the point of fusion and
allowing the substance to be released. 

facilitated diffusion A process in which substances are transported across a plasma membrane with the concentration
gradient with the aid of carrier (transport) proteins; does not require the use of energy. 

fluid mosaic model The plasma membrane is described to be fluid because of

its hydrophobic integral components such as lipids and membrane proteins that move laterally or
sideways throughout the membrane. The membrane is not solid, but more like a 'fluid'.
Student: ___________________________ Period: __________ Date: _____________

golgi apparatus
An organelle found in eukaryotic cells responsible for the final stages of processing proteins for
release by the cell.  

homeostasis
The regulatory process in which an organism regulates its internal environment.   

hormone
A naturally occuring substance secreted by
specialised cells that affects themetabolism or behaviour of
other cells possessing functional receptors for the hormone. Hormones may be hydrophilic,
like insulin, in which case the receptors are on the cell surface or lipophilic, like the steroids, where
the receptor can be intracellular.

intracellular
Located inside a cell.  

osmosis
The movement of water or another solvent through permeable membranes from an area of higher
water concentration (dilute) to an area of lower water concentration (concentrated). 
passive transport
The transportation of materials across a plasma membrane without using energy.

phospolipid bilayer
The two layers of phospholipids arranged in such a way that their hydrophobic tails are projecting
inwards while their polar head groups are projecting on the outside surfaces

plasma membrane
A thin, phospholipid and protein molecule bilayer that encapsulates a cell and controls the
movement of materials in and out of the cell through active or passive transport.  
pumps
Any of several molecular mechanisms in which ions or molecules are transported across a cellular
membrane requiring the use of an energy source (e.g., glucose, sodium [Na+], calcium [Ca+], and
potassium [K+]).
selectively/semi-
permeable
A membrane that is selectively permeable, i.e. being permeable to only certain molecules and not
to allmolecules.

thermoregulation
Pertaining to the way organisms manage heat within them
vesicles
A bubble-like membranous structure that stores and transports cellular products, and digests
metabolic wastes within the cell; an intracellular membranous sac that is separated from
the cytosol by at least one lipid bilayer.
Summary and Connections to Life: Describe how the structure of the plasma membrane allows it to function
as a regulatory structure and/or protective barrier for a cell.
Student: ___________________________ Period: __________ Date: _____________

PRACTICE QUESTIONS IN PREPARATION FOR KEYSTONE EXAM

TOPIC: Homeostasis and Transport SCORE _____/15 = _____%

1. Which situation indicates that a disruption of homeostasis has taken place?

a. the presence of hormones that keep the blood sugar level steady
b. the maintenance of a constant body temperature
c. cell division that is involved in normal growth
d. a rapid rise in the number of red blood cells

2. The amount of glucose in human blood is controlled by the pancreas. This is an example of

a. reproduction c. growth
b. adaptation d. homeostasis

3. Which of these transport mechanisms requires an input of energy from the cell?

a. Facilitated diffusion c. Passive transport

b. Osmosis d. Active transport

4. A student is asked to prove that a particular molecule enters the cell via active transport. Which of the following
statements can he use as evidence?

a. The molecule was lipid soluble.

b. ATP was used for the transport.
c. The molecule moved from higher to lower concentration.
d. The molecule did not use energy to enter the cell.

5. Which of the following is a function of the cell membrane?

a. breaks down food into lipids, carbohydrates, and proteins

b. stores water, salt, proteins and carbohydrates
c. keeps the cell wall in place around the nucleus
d. regulates which materials enter and exit the cell
Student: ___________________________ Period: __________ Date: _____________

6. Consider Figure B in the diagram to answer the question.

This structure is made of _____________ and its function is to ______________.

a. proteins; allow certain molecules to pass through

b. proteins; allow water to pass through
c. carbohydrates; prevent the passage of all molecules
d. carbohydrates; allow certain molecules to pass through

Use the diagram below the answer the question.

7. The particles pictured would have a net movement from the ______ of the cell to the _________ of the cell.

a. hypertonic, hypotonic c. isotonic, isotonic

b. inside, outside d. outside, inside
Student: ___________________________ Period: __________ Date: _____________

8. Use the diagram below to respond to the question. The top of the membrane in the diagram is outside the cell, and
the bottom of the membrane is inside the cell.

The purpose of the hormone in the diagram above is to

a. prevent glucose from leaving the cell.

b. open the gated channel to allow glucose in the cell.
c. provide energy to open the gated channel.
d. allow glucose to flow against the concentration gradient.

9. One way a cell membrane can maintain homeostasis is …

a. receiving nutrients for the cell.

b. transporting waste away from the cell.
c. act as gatekeeper for what goes into the cell
d. all of the above

10. The leaves of a plant are dotted with openings known as stomata. When open, stomata allow the plant to exchange
gases and allow moisture to evaporate, helping to draw water from the roots up into the plant. These activities help the
plant to …

a. produce light energy c. decompose organic matter

b. maintain homeostasis d synthesize minerals

11. Which example is an activity that a fish most likely uses to maintain homeostasis within its body?

a. using camouflage to avoid predators

b. feeding at night to regulate body temperature
c. moving to deeper water to regulate metabolic wastes
Student: ___________________________ Period: __________ Date: _____________

d. exchanging gases through its gills to regulate oxygen levels

12. The rough endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus work together in eukaryotic cells. What is
one way that the rough endoplasmic reticulum assists the Golgi apparatus?

a. It assembles nucleic acids from monomers.

b. It breaks down old, damaged macromolecules.
c. It packages new protein molecules into vesicles.
d. It determines which protein molecules to synthesize.

Extended response.

13. Compare and contrast active vs. passive transport mechanisms.

________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

14. Describe how membrane-bound cellular organelles facilitate intracellular transport of materials.

____________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

15. Explain several mechanisms organisms use to maintain homeostasis.

____________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________
Student: ___________________________ Period: __________ Date: _____________

Key:

1. d
2. d
3. d
4. b
5. d
6. a
7. d
8. b
9. d
10. b
11. d
12. d

Extended response.

13. Compare and contrast active vs. passive transport mechanisms.

Active and passive transport are biological processes that move oxygen, water and nutrients into cells and remove waste
products. Active transport requires chemical energy because it is the movement of biochemicals from areas of lower
concentration to areas of higher concentration. On the other hand, passive trasport moves biochemicals from areas of
high concentration to areas of low concentration; so it does not require energy.

14. Describe how membrane-bound cellular organelles facilitate intracellular transport of materials.

Most of the organelles in the cell are bound by unit membranes similar to the cell membrane. Some of the membrane-
bound organelles, which can be recognized in a generalized eukaryotic-cell, are. Endoplasmic Reticulum- It provides a
pathway for the distribution of nuclear material from one cell to another. Golgi Complex- The main function of Golgi
complex is to take part in secretion. It modifies, sorts out and packages proteins and lipids received from endoplasmic
reticulum. It is also known to be involved in the formation of lysosomes.

15. Explain several mechanisms organisms use to maintain homeostasis.

 Homeostasis is the process used by the body to maintain a stable internal environment. Either negative feedback or
positive feedback can be used in homeostasis. In negative feedback, the cell changes an internal condition back to its
normal state; this is the most common way that the cell regulates itself. In positive feedback, the cell reacts to a change
from the normal state by causing an even greater change.