Cell Membrane’s Function

1.2.1 a, b) investigate the way in which materials can move into

and out of cells, including but not limited to:
❖ conducting a practical investigation modelling diffusion and
osmosis
❖ examining the roles of active transport, endocytosis and
exocytosis
Types of Cellular Transport
Weeee!!
Passive Transport !
Cell uses no energy
movement of molecules from a higher to a lower concentration
until equilibrium is reached.
Three Types: high
1. Diffusion
2. Facilitated Diffusion
low
3. Osmosis

Active Transport This is

Most molecules must use active transport. gonna
Cell uses energy for this type of transport be hard
Actively moves molecules to where they are needed work!!
high
Movement from an area of low concentration to an area of high
concentration
Low High
Three types: low
Sodium-Potassium Pump, Endocytosis, Exocytosis
 Diffusion (Passive transport)
► Random movement of particles
from an area of high
concentration to an area of
low concentration.
(High to Low)
► Diffusion continues until all
molecules are evenly spaced
(equilibrium is reached)
► -Note: molecules will still
move around but stay spread
out.
Process of diffusion
Facilitated Diffusion
(passive transport)
Cellular Transport From a-
High Concentration

Glucose
Cell Membrane High molecules
Protein
channel

Low Concentration

Transport
Through a
Protein

Low
Osmosis (passive
transport)
❖ Diffusion of water across the
plasma membrane from higher
concentration to lower
concentration.
❖ Environment surrounding cells
may contain amounts of dissolved
substances (solutes) that are…
- equal to, less than, greater
than those found within the
cell.
 What’s in a Solution?
when a solute dissolves in a solvent it makes solution.
solute + solvent →solution
Salt (NaCl) + Water (H20) → saltwater
❑ TONICITY Refers to the concentration of SOLUTES
❑ It is a RELATIVE term, comparing two different solutions:
- Hypertonic
- Hypotonic
- Isotonic
Hypertonic Solution:
A solution with a
greater solute
concentration
compared to
another solution.
3% NaCl solution
97% H2O 5% NaCl
Which way will the 95% H2O
water move? Red Blood Cell
Hypotonic Solution
A solution with a lower solute concentration
compared to another solution.

Which way will the 3% Na solution

water move? 97% H2O 1% Na
99% H2O
Red Blood Cell
Isotonic Solution
A solution with an equal solute
concentration compared to another
solution.

Which way will the 3% Na solution

water move? 97% H2O 3% Na
97% H2O
Red Blood Cell
ISOTONIC HYPOTONIC HYPERTONIC
SOLUTION SOLUTION SOLUTION
Diffusion, Osmosis in Human body
Diffusion:
• In the lungs oxygen diffuses from an alveolus into red blood
cells.
• Absorption of nutrients in small intestine.
• Absorption of substances in kidney.

Osmosis:
• Absorption of water in kidneys to make the balance
concentration of solute in kidney cells (dialysis)
Comparison between Diffusion and
Osmosis
Endocytosis (Active
transport)
❑ When a large particle has
to be moved into a cell,
the cell membrane can
change its shape to
surround the particle and
engulf it by the process of
endocytosis.
❑ If a solid particle is
engulfed, the process is
termed phagocytosis
(‘cell eating’).
Endocytosis (Active
transport)
❑ Sometimes fluid is engulfed
and the process is then called
pinocytosis (‘cell drinking’).
Exocytosis: (Active Transport)
❑ Exocytosis is the process by which
these substances are transported to
the external environment of the cell.
❑ Cells also produce waste products
that need to be moved out of the cell.
❑ During exocytosis, a
membrane-bound vesicle moves to
the cell membrane, fuses with it and
then releases its contents to the
exterior of the cell.
❑ The vesicle membrane becomes
part of the cell membrane.