Cells As The Basis Of Life

1.4b: Transport of Substances 2

12BIO
This lesson covers

- The factors that influence the rate of cell transport.

- The surface area-to-volume ratio effects on cells.
- The difference between hypotonic, hypertonic and isotonic solutions.
Factors Affecting Exchange

A number of factors affect the rate at which

materials are exchanged.

● Surface Area to Volume Ratio

● Concentration Gradient
● Nature of nutrients being exchanged

Explain how the exchange of materials across membranes is affected by factors.

Surface Area to Volume Ratio
As a cell gets bigger, its volume increases
much quicker than its surface area.
Therefore, its surface area to volume ratio
becomes smaller.

An efficient cell is one with a larger

surface-area to volume ratio.

Explain how the exchange of materials across membranes is affected by factors

including surface area-to-volume ratio.
Concentration Gradient
The steeper the concentration gradient, the greater the rate of passive
transport.

Explain how the exchange of materials across membranes is affected by factors

including concentration gradient.
Nature of Particle

Explain how the exchange of materials across membranes is affected by factors

including the physical and chemical nature of the materials being exchanged.