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STUDENT’S NAME

STRAND AND SECTION

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WHAT’S INSIDE?

This gives you an idea of the skills or competencies you are

Learning Targets expected to learn in the module.

This activity acts as a motivation for your incoming lesson at hand.

If you have garnered a favorable score (through the teacher’s
Initial Task evaluation), decide to skip this part of the module.

This portion contains the keywords of the lessons with the

Unlocking designated definitions in the context of the subject matter.
Difficulties

Activating Prior This is an activity or a thought-provoking question to verify

Knowledge your previous knowledge of the lesson.

This section provides a brief discussion of the lesson. This aims to

Lecturette help you discover and understand new concepts and skills.

This comprises activities for independent practice to solidify your

Assessment understanding and skills of the topic.

This includes questions to be filled for you to process what you

Lesson Reflection learned from the lesson.

This section provides an activity that will help you transfer your new
Final Task knowledge or skill in real-life situations or concerns.

*Descriptions and Icons are derived from the Alternative Delivery Mode Material from the Department of Education

YOUR GENTLE REMINDERS:

Use the module with care. Do not put unnecessary mark/s on any part of the module. Use a separate
sheet of paper in answering the exercises – however, this is optional.
Read the instruction carefully before doing each task.
Observe honesty and integrity in doing the tasks.
Finish the task at hand before proceeding to the next.
Return this module to your teacher/facilitator once you are through with it.
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MODULE 5
TRANSPORT MECHANISMS

MOST ESSENTIAL LEARNING COMPETENCY:

YOU WILL BE ABLE TO (1) DESCRIBE THE STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS OF THE CELL
MEMBRANE; (2) RELATE THE STRUCTURE AND COMPOSITION OF THE CELL
MEMBRANE TO ITS FUNCTION; (3) EXPLAIN TRANSPORT MECHANISMS IN CELLS; (4)
DIFFERENTIATE EXOCYTOSIS AND ENDOCYTOSIS.

LEARNING TARGETS:

At the end of the unit lesson, you should be able to:

describe and compare diffusion, osmosis, facilitated transport, and active transport
explain factors that affect the rate of diffusion across a cell membrane
predict the effects of hypertonic, isotonic, and hypotonic environments on osmosis in animal cells; and
differentiate endocytosis (phagocytosis and pinocytosis) and exocytosis

INITIAL TASK: RELATE

“WHAT COMES TO YOUR MIND WHEN YOU SEE TWO 20-YEAR-OLD MEN WHO are 7.5 FT. TALL AND THE
OTHER IS 3.5 FT.?”

UNLOCKING DIFFICULTIES:
The following are the keywords and challenging terms used in this module:

a. HOMEOSTASIS – is the maintenance of a constant internal state in a changing environment.

b. DIFFUSION – is the movement of molecules from high concentrations to low concentrations.
c. OSMOSIS – is the diffusion of water through a semi-permeable membrane.
d. PASSIVE TRANSPORT – is the movement of particles across a cell membrane without the use of energy.
e. ACTIVE TRANSPORT – is the movement of particles against a concentration gradient and requires the
cell to use energy.
f. ENDOCYTOSIS – the process by which a cell uses energy to surround a particle and enclose the particle
in a vesicle to bring the particle into the cell.
g. EXOCYTOSIS – the process by which particles in a vesicle are released from the cell.

ACTIVATING PRIOR KNOWLEDGE:

1. Describe the plasma membrane.

2. Discuss the importance of the plasma membrane and how indispensable it is to the life of the cell.
3. Explain how plasma membranes are arranged in the presence of water.
4. Enumerate the structures found in a plasma membrane.
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MODULE 5
TRANSPORT MECHANISMS

STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS OF THE

PLASMA MEMBRANE

PLASMA MEMBRANES
Are made up of a phospholipid bilayer in an aqueous environment. Phospholipids are the foundation of
all known biological membranes. The lipid bilayer forms as a result of the interaction between the non-polar
(hydrophobic or water-fearing) phospholipid tails, the polar (hydrophilic or water-loving) phospholipid heads,
and the surrounding water.

The nonpolar tails face toward the water. Transmembrane proteins float within the bilayer and serve as
channels through which various molecules can pass. They function as ‘identification tags’ on cells that enable
the cell to determine if the other cells that it encounters are like itself or not. It also permits cells of the immune
system to accept and reject foreign cells such as disease-causing bacteria.

Many membrane proteins function as enzymes that speed up reactions in cells. Others act like paste or
glue-forming cell junctions where adjacent cells stick together. Membranes also contain cholesterol which
reduces the cell’s permeability to substances and makes the bilayer stronger.

MEMBRANE PROTEINS
Are common proteins that are part of, or interact with, biological membranes. Membrane proteins fall
into several broad categories depending on their location. INTEGRAL MEMBRANE PROTEINS (INTRINSIC
PROTEINS) are a permanent part of a cell membrane and can either penetrate the membrane (transmembrane)
or associate with one or the other side of a membrane (integral monotopic). PERIPHERAL MEMBRANE
(EXTRINSIC PROTEINS) proteins are transiently associated with the cell membrane, serve in the transport of
molecules, and as receptors.
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TRANSPORT MECHANISMS IN CELLS

Molecules and substances move in several ways that fall within two categories: PASSIVE TRANSPORT and ACTIVE
TRANSPORT. In passive transport, heat energy of the cellular environment provides all of the energy, hence, this is not
energy-costly to the cell. Active transport, however, requires the cell to do work, requiring the cell to expend its energy
reserves.

ACTIVE TRANSPORT PASSIVE TRANSPORT

Requires cellular energy. Do not require cellular energy.

It circulates from a region of lower concentration to a It circulates from a region of higher concentration to a
region of higher concentration region of lower concentration

Required for the transportation of all the molecules Required for the transportation of all soluble molecules,
such as proteins, large cells, complex sugars, ions, including oxygen, water, carbon dioxide, lipids, sex
etc. hormones, etc.

It is involved in the maintenance of the equilibrium level

It transports various molecules in the cell.
inside the cell.

Active transport is a dynamic process. Passive Transport is a physical process.

It is highly selective. It is partly non-selective

Active transport is a rapid process. Passive transport is a comparatively slow process.

Transpires in one direction. Transpires bi-directionally.

Passive transportation is not influenced by

Active transportation is influenced by temperature.
temperature.

In active transport, carrier proteins are required In passive transport, carrier proteins are not required

This process reduces or halts as the oxygen content This process is not affected by the level of oxygen
level is reduced. content.

Metabolic inhibitors can influence and stop the active Passive transportation is not influenced by metabolic
transport. inhibitors.

Different types of Active Transport are – Different types of Passive Transport are – Osmosis,
Exocytosis, endocytosis, sodium-potassium pump diffusion
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DIFFUSION is a type of passive transport described as the natural tendency for molecules to move constantly. Their
movement is random and is due to the energy found in the individual molecules. Net diffusion occurs when the materials
on one side of the membrane have a different concentration than the materials on the other side. OSMOSIS is a special
type of diffusion specifically associated with the movement of water molecules.

BASIS FOR
DIFFUSION OSMOSIS
COMPARISON

Simple diffusion is a type of passive transport Osmosis is a type of passive transport

in which the movement of solute occurs occurring commonly in biological systems
DEFINITION when its electrochemical potentials on the where solvent molecules move across a semi-
two sides of a permeable barrier are permeable membrane towards a region of
different. high solute concentration.

NATURE OF THE Diffusion occurs through any permeable Osmosis requires a semi-permeable
MEMBRANE membrane. membrane.

NATURE OF THE
Diffusion is a passive process. Osmosis is also a passive process.
PROCESS

Diffusion can take place in all mediums (solid,

MEDIUM Osmosis only occurs in a liquid medium.
liquid, and gas).

TYPE OF
The moving molecules can be either solid, The moving molecules in osmosis are always
DIFFUSING
liquid, or gases. liquid.
MOLECULES

RATE OF THE
Diffusion is faster than osmosis. Osmosis is slower than diffusion.
PROCESS

The driving force of diffusion is the The driving force of osmosis is osmotic
DRIVING FORCE
concentration gradient. pressure.

DIRECTION OF
Diffusion takes place in all directions. Osmosis takes place in one direction.
MOVEMENT

Osmosis can be stopped and even reversed by

CONTROL OF Diffusion cannot be stopped or reversed by
applying pressure equal to or more than the
THE PROCESS any pressure.
osmotic pressure.

TYPES OF Diffusion can take place between similar or Osmosis takes place only between two similar
SOLUTION dissimilar solutions solutions.
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A solution with a higher concentration of solutes is said to be HYPERTONIC while a solution with a lower
concentration of solutes is HYPOTONIC. Water crosses the membrane until the solute concentrations are equal
on both sides. Solutions of equal solution concentration are said to be ISOTONIC. This only occurs when the
solute concentration is the same on both sides of the membrane.

Many cells are isotonic to the environment to avoid excessive inward and outward movement of water. Other
cells must constantly export water from their interior to accommodate the natural inward movement. Most
plants are hypertonic to their immediate environment. Osmotic pressure within the cell pushes the cytoplasm
against the cell wall and makes a plant cell rigid.

When an animal cell such as a red blood cell is immersed in an isotonic solution, the cell gains water at the same
rate that it loses it. The cell’s volume remains constant in this situation.

What will happen to the red blood cell when immersed in a hypotonic solution which has a lower solute
concentration than the cell? The cell gains water, swells, and may eventually burst due to excessive water intake.
When placed in a hypertonic solution, an animal cell shrinks and can die due to water loss.

The water requirement for plant cells is different due to their rigid cell walls. A plant cell placed in an isotonic
solution is flaccid and a plant wilts in this condition. In contrast with animal cells, a plant cell is turgid and healthy
in a hypotonic solution. In a hypertonic solution, a plant cell loses water, shrivels, and its plasma membrane
detaches from the cell wall. This situation eventually causes death in plant cells.

DIFFERENTIATE DIFFUSION FROM FACILITATED DIFFUSION

To control the entrance and exit of particular molecules, selective transport of materials is necessary. One
simple process is FACILITATED DIFFUSION that utilizes protein transmembrane channels that are specific to
certain molecules. It is a passive process driven by the concentration of molecules on the inside and the outside
of the membrane. Certain molecules are transported in and out of the cell, independent of concentration. This
process requires the expenditure of energy in the form of ATP and is called ACTIVE TRANSPORT.
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DIFFERENTIATE ENDOCYTOSIS, PHAGOCYTOSIS, PINOCYTOSIS,

RECEPTOR-MEDIATED ENDOCYTOSIS, AND EXOCYTOSIS

Large molecules enter the cell by a generalized non-selective process known as ENDOCYTOSIS. PHAGOCYTOSIS is
endocytosis of a particulate material while PINOCYTOSIS is endocytosis of liquid material. In this process, the plasma
membrane engulfs the particle or fluid droplet and pinches off a membranous sac or vesicle with a particular fluid inside
into the cytoplasm.

RECEPTOR-MEDIATED ENDOCYTOSIS is a complicated mechanism involving the transport of materials through coated
vesicles. Cells take up molecules more efficiently in this process due to the receptor proteins on their surfaces. Each
receptor protein bears a binding site for a particular molecule. If the right molecule contacts a receptor protein, it attaches
to the binding site, forming a pocket and eventually pinching off into the cytoplasm.

EXOCYTOSIS is the reverse process where a membrane-bound vesicle filled with bulky materials moves to
the plasma membrane and fuses with it. In this process, the vehicle’s contents are released out of the cell.

• During exocytosis, cells transport substances from the interior of the cell to the exterior of the cell.
• This process is important for the removal of waste, for chemical messaging between cells, and for rebuilding
the cell membrane.
• Exocytotic vesicles are formed by the Golgi apparatus, endosomes, and presynaptic neurons.
• Three pathways of exocytosis are constitutive exocytosis, regulated exocytosis, and lysosome mediated
exocytosis.
• Steps of exocytosis include vesicle trafficking, tethering, docking, priming, and fusing.
• Vesicle fusion with the cell membrane may be complete or temporary.
• Exocytosis occurs in many cells including pancreatic cells and neurons.
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MODULE 5
TRANSPORT MECHANISMS

BIBLICAL INSIGHT

PHILIPPIANS 4:19
“And may God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Jesus Christ”

NOTE:
THERE WILL BE A SCHEDULED
QUIZ OR ASSESSMENT FOR THIS
MODULE IN SCHOOLOGY.

REFERENCES:

Campbell, N.A. et. al. (2008). Biology 8th Edition Pearson International. Pearson/Benjamin Cummings Publishing.

Campbell, N. J. (2010). Biology 9th edition Pearson International Edition. Benjamin Cummings Publishing.

Freeman, S. (2011). Biological Science. 4th edition. International Edition. Benjamin Cummings Publishing.

Hickman, C. L. (2011). Integrated Principles of Zoology. 15th edition. McGraw Hill Co., Inc.

Prepared by:

LENDON JAN S. CONDE

Subject Teacher

Checked by:

RAYMOND W. DELA CUESTA, LPT, M.A.Ed.

Senior High School Academic Coordinator

Noted by:

ELEANOR C. AGUILLON, LPT, M.A.Ed.

Senior High School Focal Person