Movement In and Out of Cells

Diffusion is the movement of molecules and ions from a region of its higher concentration to a
region of its lower concentration. Molecules move down a concentration gradient as a result of
their random movement. The energy for diffusion comes from the kinetic energy of random
movement of molecules and ions

Examples of diffusion in the human body:

● Allows us to respire and allows for the exchange of O2 and CO2 between the alveoli and
capillaries
● Fat and other fat soluble protein required by the cell diffuse into the cell membrane which
is made out of lipids and proteins
● Absorption of nutrients such as fatty acids in the villi epithelial cells in the small intestine
happen through diffusion.
● Toxic substances or substances that are in excess of their requirements are excreted as
sweat through diffusion.
● Metabolic waste is also excreted through sweat. Allows body to excrete toxic materials
● Tissue fluid diffuses out of capillaries to provide glucose and amino acids to cells.
● CO2 for plants to photosynthesize diffuses through the stomata
● Products of digestion are absorbed from the ileum of mammals by diffusion.
Factors affecting Diffusion :
● Temperature: An increase in temp increases the kinetic energy that the particles
possess. This allows them to move around in random directions faster and as a result,
more collisions between the particles occur.
● Concentration gradient: The greater the difference in concentration between either side,
the faster the diffusion will occur as more collisions against the membrane on the
concentrated side.
● Distance: The smaller the distance the molecules and ions have to travel faster the
diffusion would occur. Lining of alveoli - 1 cell thick.
● Surface Area: larger the surface area, more chances of effective collisions between
molecules and membrane occurring hence the rate of diffusion is faster.
● Pressure: Higher the amount of pressure applied, the faster the diffusion would occur as
the same amount of particles are being forced into a smaller space resulting in them
colliding with each other more often.
● Size of molecules: The smaller the size of the molecule, the faster the rate of diffusion as
the surface area increases

Osmosis is defined as the net movement of water molecules from a region of higher water
potential to a region of lower water potential through a semipermeable membrane
This partially permeable membrane is the cell membrane.

● Water potential is the measure of the ability of water molecules to move freely in a
solution
● Turgor Pressure - force within the wall that pushes the plasma membrane against the
cell wall Restricts further entry of water. In osmosis water moves down the concentration
gradient and a membrane is required for the process to take place.
● Plants are supported by the pressure of water inside the cells pressing out wards on the
cell wall.

Turgid:
● Plant Cells in dilute solution become turgid.
● Water moves into the cell and the vacuole expands.
● The vacuole then presses, outwards on the rest of the cell.
● The cell size and mass increases.
● Inelasticity of the cell wall prevents over expansion of the cell membrane by exerting an
opposing pressure.

Flaccid:
● Plant cells in concentrated solutions become flaccid as water moves out of the cell, the
cell size and cell mass decreases. cell wall stops curving outwards
Plasmolysed:
● Plant cells placed in highly concentrated solutions become plasmolysed.
● This is when the cytoplasm is pulled away from the cell wall and the rest of the cell wall.

Usual tricks:
Boiling potato strips - Osmosis does not occur as the cell membrane has disintegrated in hot
water.
Active transport is the movement of particles through a cell membrane from a region of lower
concentration to a region of higher concentration using energy from respiration.
Energy is needed because particles are being moved against a concentration gradient.

Examples of Active Transport:

● The uptake of ions from soil water by root hair cells in plants.
● Uptake of glucose by epithelial cells in the villi of the small intestine
● Uptake of glucose by kidney tubules in the nephron

How protein molecules move particles: ( Pump proteins)

● Active transport works by using carrier proteins embedded in the cell. membrane to pick
up specific molecules and take them through the cell membrane against their
concentration gradient
● Substance combines with career protein molecule in the cell membrane
● Carrier protein transports substances across membranes using energy from respiration
to give them the kinetic energy needed to change shapes and move the substance
through the cell membrane.
● Substance is released into the cell.
● Respiratory poisons block energy release, and can prevent active transport.