Chapter 2: Movement of Substances

Diffusion: net movement of particles from a region where they are of higher concentration to
a region where they are of lower concentration (down a concentration gradient).

Factors affecting rate of diffusion

Factor Effect
Temperature Higher temperature → diffuse faster
SA:V ratio Large SA:V ratio → diffuse faster
Concentration gradient Steeper gradient → diffuse faster
Size / Mass of particles Smaller particles → diffuse faster
Distance Shorter distance → diffuse faster
Solid → diffuse slowest
Diffusion medium Liquid → diffuse faster
Gas → diffuse fastest

Facilitated diffusion: net movement of ions and polar (water-soluble) molecules through
cell membranes using specific protein channels or carriers down a concentration gradient

 passive process which relies solely on the kinetic energy of the molecules; energy
from metabolism is not required.
Significance of diffusion in living systems: gaseous exchange in lungs, nutrient uptake in
roots
Osmosis: net movement of water molecules from a region of higher water potential to a
region of lower water potential across a partially permeable membrane.
Water potential

 Refers to the tendency of water molecules to enter or leave solutions by osmosis

 Is denoted by the Greek letter ψ (psi) and is expressed in units of pressure called
megapascals (MPa).
 The potential of pure water is designated a value of zero
 Hypotonic = less (solute)
These are terms used relative to another solution
 Isotonic = equal (for comparison only)
 Hypertonic = more
CONDITIONS
1. Animal cell

 In H2O / dH2O  In concentrated solution

o Compare: WP (cell) < WP
(dH2O)
o Movement of H2O: WP
(dH2O) → WP (cell)
o Osmosis process across
PPM
o Effect: swell + burst
o Compare: WP (cell) > WP (conc.
solution)
o Movement of H2O: WP (cell) →
WP (conc. solution)
o Osmosis process across PPM
o Effect: shrinks + crenate (become
spiky)
 2. Plant cell

 In H2O / dH2O  In concentrated solution

o Compare: WP (cell sap) < WP
(dH2O)
o Movement of H2O: WP (dH2O)
→ WP (cell sap)
o Osmosis process across PPM
o Effect: becomes turgid + cell sap
/ vacuole increases in volume
o Compare: WP (cell) > WP (conc.
solution)
o Movement of H2O: WP (cell) → WP
(conc. solution)
o Osmosis process across PPM
o Effect: becomes plasmolysed / flaccid
+ cell sap / vacuole decreases in
volume

Active Transport: movement of molecules or ions into or out of a cell from a region of lower
concentration to a region of higher concentration (against a concentration gradient),
requiring energy input from metabolism. This process is highly selective with specific
substances transported.

Mechanisms of Active Transport

Carrier protein molecules Bulk Transport

Example: Sodium – Potassium Pump
The sodium potassium pump is vital to
numerous bodily processes, such as
nerve cell signalling, heart contractions,
and kidney functions.
Definition: movement of large molecules
such as proteins into or out of the cell
o Endocytosis
o Exocytosis

Endocytosis
o Uptake of materials into cells by inward folding of the cell surface membrane to form
sacs of membrane that surround a large molecule or even an entire cell (e.g., bacterial
cell) from the extracellular environment
o The membrane pinches off to form a vesicle in the cell.
o Energy from ATP is used to move the cytoplasm around.
o The newly formed vesicle can then fuse with other special vesicles (lysosomes)
containing enzymes which digest its contents.
o The process of endocytosis may involve uptake of liquid particles(pinocytosis) or solid
particles (phagocytosis).
Exocytosis
o In exocytosis, materials are exported out of the cell via secretory vesicles.
o In this process, the Golgi apparatus packages large molecules into secretory vesicles
that travel to and fuse with the cell surface membrane.
o This fusion causes the vesicle to release its contents out of the cell.
o Energy from ATP is used to move the cytoplasm around.
o Exocytosis is important in removal of waste materials out of the cell and in the secretion
of cellular products such as digestive enzymes (proteins) or hormones (proteins and
fats).