COURSE  CRITICAL THINKING

GBIO1
CODE  INNOVATIVE THINKING

COURSE  EMPATHY
General Biology 1
TITLE  RESILIENCE

 TEAMWORK
SEMESTE SCHOOL  COMMUNICATION
1 2020-21
R YEAR
MODULE
PERIOD WEEK 3: Sept. 10 to Sept 16, 2021
NO. 3
INTRODUCTION- Transport Mechanism
It is of seminal importance to the cell that it be
able to transport molecules in and out of itself.
Imagine that a protein having multiple
transmembrane domains is structured so that
these domains are arrayed in the plane of the
membrane in a circle, thereby forming a cylinder,
or, better yet, a barrel when viewed from the
outside of the cell, with each of the staves of the
barrel being one of the transmembrane domains.
[1]

The membrane comprise mainly of phospholipid

molecules and has protein molecules scattered Figure 3.1 Updated model of an animal cell’s
throughout its structure. The phospholipid plasma membrane (cutaway view). [3]
molecules have a polar hydrophilic water loving
head and two non polar hydrophobic water fearing In this module, we are going to learn how
tail. The membrane is form as the head face out cellular membranes control the passage of
and the tails face in forming a bilayer seeing in its substances, often with transport proteins.
structure. [2] To understand how the plasma membrane
and its protein enables cells to survive and
The inner part of the cell the cytosol and the function, we begin examining membrane
outside part of the cell is the interstitial fluid. structure, then explore how plasma
Substances move into and out of the cell through membranes control transport into and out
several different processes called [membrane of cells.
transport. [2]

Intended Learning Outcomes (Learning Competencies)

In this part of the module, state here the skills or competencies that students are expected to learn
after the lessons of this module in bulleted form like this:

• Describe the structural components of the cell membrane

• Relate the structure and composition of the cell membrane to its function
• Explain transport mechanisms in cells (diffusion osmosis, facilitated transport, active
transport
• Differentiate exocytosis and endocytosis
 COURSE  CRITICAL THINKING
GBIO1
CODE  INNOVATIVE THINKING

COURSE  EMPATHY
General Biology 1
TITLE  RESILIENCE

 TEAMWORK

SEMESTE SCHOOL  COMMUNICATION

1 2020-21
R YEAR
MODULE
PERIOD WEEK 3: Sept. 10 to Sept 16, 2021
NO. 3

Plasma Membrane
The plasma membrane that surrounds the cell can be considered the edge of life, the boundary
that separates a living cell from its surroundings and controls all inbound and outbound traffic. Like
all biological membranes, the plasma membrane exhibits selective permeability, that allows some
substances to cross it more easily than others. The ability of the cell to discriminate in its chemical
exchanges is fundamental to life, and it is the plasma membrane and its component molecules that
makes this selectivity possible. [3]
(1) Membrane proteins and lipids are synthesized in
association with the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). In the
ER, carbohydrates (green) are added to the
transmembrane proteins (purple dumbbells), making
them glycoproteins. The carbohydrate portions may
(1) then be modified.
(2) Inside the Golgi apparatus, the
glycoproteins undergo further carbohydrate
(2) modification, and lipids acquire carbohydrates,
becoming glycolipids.
(3) (3) The glycoproteins, glycolipids, and
secretory proteins (purple spheres) are
transported in vesicles to the plasma
membrane.

(4) (4) As vesicles fuse with the plasma

membrane, the outside face of the vesicle
becomes continuous with the inside
(cytoplasmic) face of the plasma membrane.
This releases the secretory
proteins from the cell, a process called
exocytosis, and positions the carbohydrates of
membrane glycoproteins and glycolipids on
the outside (extracellular) face of the plasma
membrane.

Figure 3.2 Synthesis of membrane components and their orientation in the membrane. The cytoplasmic
(orange) face of the plasma membrane differs from the extracellular (aqua) face. The latter arises from the
inside face of ER, Golgi, and vesicle membranes. [3]
 COURSE  CRITICAL THINKING
GBIO1
CODE  INNOVATIVE THINKING

COURSE  EMPATHY
General Biology 1
TITLE  RESILIENCE

 TEAMWORK

SEMESTE SCHOOL  COMMUNICATION

1 2020-21
R YEAR
MODULE
PERIOD WEEK 3: Sept. 10 to Sept 16, 2021
NO. 3

TOPIC 1: Simple Diffusion

There are two main process, passive transport process and active transport processes. The
main difference between the two is that passive processes do not require energy expenditure
and active processes do require cells to spend energy. [2] Simple diffusion, facilitated
diffusion and osmosis are the type of passive transport.
Diffusion is the movement of the substance from high concentration to low concentration or the
tendency of a substance to spread out evenly over a given space. [2] Diffusion would result in
both solutions having equal concentrations of the dye molecules. Once that point is reached,
there will be a dynamic equilibrium, with roughly as many dye molecules crossing the membrane
each second in one direction as in the other. It is also a transport of substance that require no
energy investment. [3]

(a) Diffusion of one solute. The membrane has

Figure 3.3a The diffusion of solutes
across a synthetic membrane. [3]
pores large enough for molecules of dye to pass
through. Random movement of dye molecules will
cause some to pass through the pores; this will
happen more often on the side with more dye
molecules. The dye diffuses from where it is more
concentrated to where it is less concentrated (called
diffusing down a concentration gradient). This leads
to a dynamic equilibrium: The solute molecules
continue to cross the membrane, but at roughly
equal rates in both directions. [3]

(b) Diffusion of two solutes. Solutions of

two different dyes are separated by a
membrane that is permeable to both. Each
dye diffuses down its own concentration
gradient. There will be a net diffusion of the
purple dye toward the left, even though the
total solute concentration was initially greater
on the left side. [3] Figure 3.3b The diffusion of solutes
across a synthetic membrane. [3]
COURSE  CRITICAL THINKING
GBIO1
CODE  INNOVATIVE THINKING

COURSE  EMPATHY
General Biology 1
TITLE  RESILIENCE

 TEAMWORK

SEMESTE SCHOOL  COMMUNICATION

1 2020-21
R YEAR
MODULE
PERIOD WEEK 3: Sept. 10 to Sept 16, 2021
NO. 3

TOPIC 2: Facilitated Transport

The second type of diffusion is facilitated diffusion. This applies the solutes that are small and
either charge with polar. Because this solutes are polar, the non polar phospholipids bilayer
blocks them from passing through the membrane and into or out of the cell by simple diffusion.
However, they can pass into and out of the cell with the assistance of the plasma membrane
proteins through process called facilitated diffusion. [2]
Facilitated diffusion speeds transport of a solute by providing efficient passage through the
membrane, but it does not alter the direction of transport. Some other transport proteins,
however, can move solutes against their concentration gradients, across the plasma membrane
from the side where they are less concentrated (whether inside or outside) to the side where
they are more concentrated. [3]

Two types of Transport Proteins

(a) A channel protein has a channel through

which water molecules or a specific solute
can pass. Channel proteins simply provide
corridors that allow specific molecules or ions
to cross the membrane. [3]

Figure 3.4a. Two types of transport

proteins that carry out facilitated
diffusion. [3]

(b) A carrier protein alternates between

two shapes, moving a solute across the
membrane during the shape change.
Such a change in shape may be
triggered by the binding and release of
the transported molecule. Figure 3.4b. Two types of transport proteins
that carry out facilitated diffusion. [3]
COURSE  CRITICAL THINKING
GBIO1
CODE  INNOVATIVE THINKING

COURSE  EMPATHY
General Biology 1
TITLE  RESILIENCE

 TEAMWORK

SEMESTE SCHOOL  COMMUNICATION

1 2020-21
R YEAR
MODULE
PERIOD WEEK 3: Sept. 10 to Sept 16, 2021
NO. 3

TOPIC 3: Osmosis
Now for osmosis, is the diffusion of free water across a selectively permeable membrane, whether
artificial or cellular. [3] This occurs when there is a difference in concentration of water on
either side of the membrane. This can happen in one of two ways, water can slip through
between the phospholipid molecules that make up the plasma membrane or through in aqua
protein channels that are called aquaporin. [2]

How living cells react to changes in the solute

concentration of their environment depends on
whether or not they have cell walls.

FYI
(a) Animal cell. An Cell membrane is
animal cell fares best in also called as
an isotonic environment plasma membrane
unless it has special which plays the
adaptations that offset same function.
the osmotic uptake or
loss of water

(b) Plant cell. Plant

cells
are turgid (firm) and
generally healthiest
in a hypotonic
environment, where the
uptake of water is
eventually balanced
by the wall pushing
back on the cell.
Figure 3.5. The water balance of living cells. [3]
COURSE  CRITICAL THINKING
GBIO1
CODE  INNOVATIVE THINKING

COURSE  EMPATHY
General Biology 1
TITLE  RESILIENCE

 TEAMWORK

SEMESTE SCHOOL  COMMUNICATION

1 2020-21
R YEAR
MODULE
PERIOD WEEK 3: Sept. 10 to Sept 16, 2021
NO. 3

TOPIC 4: Active Transport

Now let’s look at active processes!
Active processes require the use of cellular energy for membrane transport. There are two
types of active processes, (1) active transport and (2) vesicular transport.

Active transport uses energy to move solutes against their gradient. To pump a solute
across a membrane against its gradient requires work; the cell must expend energy. Active
transport enables a cell to maintain internal concentrations of small solutes that differ from
concentrations in its environment. [3]

(1) Cytoplasmic Na+ binds to

the sodium-potassium pump.
The affinity for Na+ is high when
the protein has this shape.

(2) Na+ binding

stimulates
Figure 3.6a. The phosphorylation
sodium-potassium by ATP.
pump: a specific case
of active transport.

Figure 3.6b. The

(3) Phosphorylation sodium-potassium
pump: a specific case
leads to a change in
of active transport.
protein shape, reducing
its affinity for Na+,
which is released
outside.

Figure 3.6c. The

sodium-potassium
pump: a specific case
of active transport.
COURSE  CRITICAL THINKING
GBIO1
CODE  INNOVATIVE THINKING

COURSE  EMPATHY
General Biology 1
TITLE  RESILIENCE

 TEAMWORK

SEMESTE SCHOOL  COMMUNICATION

1 2020-21
R YEAR
MODULE
PERIOD WEEK 3: Sept. 10 to Sept 16, 2021
NO. 3

TOPIC 4: Active Transport (cont.)

(4) The new shape has a

high affinity for K+, which
binds on the extracellular
side and triggers release
of the phosphate group.

(5) Loss of the

Figure 3.6d. The sodium- phosphate group
potassium pump: a specific restores the
case of active transport. protein’s original
shape, which
has a lower
affinity for K+.
Figure 3.6e. The sodium-
(6) K+ is potassium pump: a specific
released; affinity case of active transport.
for Na+ is high
again, and the
cycle repeats.

Figure 3.6f. The sodium-

potassium pump: a specific
case of active transport.

This transport system pumps ions against steep concentration gradients: Sodium ion
concentration ([Na+ ]) is high outside the cell and low inside, while potassium ion
concentration ([K+ ]) is low outside the cell and high inside. The pump oscillates
between two shapes in a cycle that moves three Na+ out of the cell (steps 1 – 3 ) for
every two K+ pumped into the cell (steps 4 – 6 ). The two shapes have different binding
affinities for Na+ and K+ . ATP hydrolysis powers the shape change by transferring a
phosphate group to the transport protein (phosphorylating the protein). [3]
COURSE  CRITICAL THINKING
GBIO1
CODE  INNOVATIVE THINKING

COURSE  EMPATHY
General Biology 1
TITLE  RESILIENCE

 TEAMWORK

SEMESTE SCHOOL  COMMUNICATION

1 2020-21
R YEAR
MODULE
PERIOD WEEK 3: Sept. 10 to Sept 16, 2021
NO. 3

TOPIC 5: Bulk or Vesicular Transport

Water and small solutes enter and leave the cell by diffusing through the lipid bilayer of
the plasma membrane or by being pumped or moved across the membrane by transport
proteins. However, large molecules — such as proteins and polysaccharides, as well as
larger particles — generally cross the membrane in bulk, packaged in vesicles. Like
active transport, these processes require energy. [3]

Bulk transport across plasma membrane occurs by exocytosis and endocytosis.

Similarities and differences

Exocytosis Endocytosis

Transports out of the cell Transports into the cell

Both uses energy Both uses energy

transport vesicles migrate to the molecules enter cells within

plasma membrane, fuse with it, vesicles that pinch inward from
and release their contents the plasma membrane

Both involved in the formation of Both involved in the formation

protein-coated vesicles of protein-coated vesicles
COURSE  CRITICAL THINKING
GBIO1
CODE  INNOVATIVE THINKING

COURSE  EMPATHY
General Biology 1
TITLE  RESILIENCE

 TEAMWORK

SEMESTE SCHOOL  COMMUNICATION

1 2020-21
R YEAR
MODULE
PERIOD WEEK 3: Sept. 10 to Sept 16, 2021
NO. 3

TOPIC 5: Bulk or Vesicular Transport (cont.)

In endocytosis, the cell takes in molecules and particulate matter by forming new
vesicles from the plasma membrane. Although the proteins involved in the processes are
different, the events of endocytosis look like the reverse of exocytosis. [3]

First, a small area of the plasma membrane sinks inward to form a pocket. Then, as the
pocket deepens, it pinches in, forming a vesicle containing material that had been outside
the cell. Study Figure 3.7 carefully to understand the three types of endocytosis:
phagocytosis (“cellular eating”), pinocytosis (“cellular drinking”), and receptor-
mediated endocytosis. [3]

In phagocytosis, a cell
In phagocytosis, a cell engulfs
engulfs a particle by
a particle by extending
extending pseudopodia
pseudopodia (singular,
(singular, pseudopodium)
pseudopodium) around it and
around it and packaging it
packaging it within a
within a membranous sac
membranous sac called a food
called a food vacuole. The
vacuole. The particle will be
particle will be digested after
digested after the food vacuole
the food vacuole fuses with a
fuses with a lysosome
lysosome containing
containing hydrolytic enzymes.
hydrolytic enzymes. [3]

Figure 3.7a. Exploring

Endocytosis in Animal Cells.
COURSE  CRITICAL THINKING
GBIO1
CODE  INNOVATIVE THINKING

COURSE  EMPATHY
General Biology 1
TITLE  RESILIENCE

 TEAMWORK

SEMESTE SCHOOL  COMMUNICATION

1 2020-21
R YEAR
MODULE
PERIOD WEEK 3: Sept. 10 to Sept 16, 2021
NO. 3

TOPIC 5: Bulk or Vesicular Transport (cont.)

In pinocytosis, a cell continually “gulps”

droplets of extracellular fluid into tiny
vesicles, formed by infoldings of the plasma
membrane. In this way, the cell obtains
molecules dissolved in the droplets. Because
any and all solutes are taken into the cell,
pinocytosis as shown here is nonspecific for
the substances it transports. In many cases,
as above, the parts of the plasma membrane
that form vesicles are lined on their
cytoplasmic side by a fuzzy layer of coat
protein; the “pits” and resulting vesicles are
said to be “coated. [3]

Figure 3.7b. Exploring

Endocytosis in Animal Cells.

Figure 3.7c. Exploring
Endocytosis in Animal Cells.
Receptor-mediated endocytosis is a
specialized type of pinocytosis that enables the
cell to acquire bulk quantities of specific
substances, even though those substances may
not be very concentrated in the extracellular
fluid. Embedded in the plasma membrane are
proteins with receptor sites exposed to the
extracellular fluid. Specific solutes bind to the
receptors. The receptor proteins then cluster in
coated pits, and each coated pit forms a vesicle
containing the bound molecules. The diagram
shows only bound molecules (purple triangles)
inside the vesicle, but other molecules from the
extracellular fluid are also present. After the
ingested material is liberated from the vesicle,
the emptied receptors are recycled to the
plasma membrane by the same vesicle. [3]
  
ACTIVITY 1: SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND
SOCIETY

Learning principles and concepts should lead us to formulate practical solutions based on
scientific evidences. In this activity, you are going analyze problem and formulate solutions.

Extensive irrigation in arid regions causes salts to accumulate in the soil.

(When water evaporates, salts that were dissolved in the water are left behind
in the soil.) Based on what you learned about water balance in plant cells,
explain why increased soil salinity (saltiness) might be harmful to crops.
Identify the practices that leads to this condition. Formulate steps or
solutions that should be done to prevent this from happening.

 Don’t forget to cite all sources in your references.

 Deadline of submission: September 24, 2021.
 Save your output in pdf format.
 For submission, follow this format (GBIO1_Activity number_Family name)
Example: GBIO1_Act 1_DelaCruz
 Refer to this link for the rubric: https://
drive.google.com/drive/folders/1VkUN-kwI1UTi49oaoeFQ1z_Ql1CkQ363
 Use this link to upload your submission (Name of Instructor> Section> Activity number)
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1eeXn1M6W64nu27BLSCIxo8KFkZavmn5N?usp=sharing

*This is an individual work and your output will be put into plagiarism checking so avoid copy-paste.
Put in your ideas and cite properly if you need references.
 REFERENCES

[1] Membrane Transport Mechanisms. Science Gateway. Pubplus.org - a

PubMed search engine. (N.D.) Retrieved from as of September 10, 2021
https://www.sciencegateway.org/resources/biologytext/cb/membranes/transport.h
tml

[2] Whats Up Dude. Jan 16, 2018. Cell Membrane Transport - Transport Across A
Membrane - How Do Things Move Across A Cell Membrane [Video]. Retried from
as of September 10, 2021 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5pWH1r3pgU

[3] Urry, L.A., Cain, M.L., Wasserman, S.A., Minorsky, P.V., Reece, J.B. and
Campbell, N.A. (2016). Campbell Biology, 11th Edition. Hoboken: Pearson Higher
Education. pp.126-143

Supplementary videos to watch:

[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5pWH1r3pgU
[2] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufCiGz75DAk
[3] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMa9MzP19zI

Prepared by:

Joan A. Arnaiz, M.Sc. Mae Oljae P. Canencia, M.Sc.

USTP, Instructor USTP, Instructor
moj.joan@gmail.com maeoljae.canencia@ustp.edu.ph
09655392942 09669320

Thank you!!!
GOD bless you.