General biology 1

a.
Transport
Simple Diffusion
b.
c.
d.
mechanism
Facilitated Diffusion
Active Transport
Bulk/Vesicular Transport

WEEK 7
 S:
N G
IE
1 describe the structural
T NIN
C
PE R
E components of the cell
M A
O LE

membrane;
2
C

relate the structure and

composition of the cell membrane
to its function;
3 explain transport mechanisms in cells
(diffusion, osmosis, facilitated transport,
active transport); and
4
Differentiate exocytocis and endocytosis.
DISCUSSION
CROSSING PLASMA MEMBRANE
As a flexible fatty boundary studded with proteins and
carbohydrates, the cell’s plasma membrane tends to keep the
watery cell contents in and moisture, chemicals, and other
elements of the external environment out. Recall, though, that
nutrients must pass into cells and waste products must pass out.
To be infective, the viruses must gain entry to the cell. The
plasma membrane is selectively permeable, that is, permeable
(penetrable) to certain substances but not all. So what accounts
for the selectively that allows nutrients, wastes, and viruses to
pass through plasma membranes while most other substances are
barred?
PHOSPOLIPIDS

Phospholipids are the foundation of all

biological membranes. The lipid bilayer forms as a result of the
interaction between the nonpolar (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.
MOVEMENT OF MATERIALS IN THE
CELL
Cells, just like any other life forms, must obtain needed materials
from the outside environment for survival. Furthermore, materials
such as waste products that are no longer needed by the cell must be
eliminated from its interior to the outside environment. It has been
stated that the cell structure responsible for directing the traffic of
materials in and out of the cell is the cell membrane. But how does
the cell membrane perform such function? There are two major ways
of directing materials in and out of the cells, namely; passive
transport and active transport.
PASSIVE TRANSPORT
Passive transport involves the movement of materials through the cell
membrane without the expenditure or use of energy. This process
does not require energy because the materials move along the
concentration gradient that is moving form a region of high
concentration to a region of low concentration. A type of passive

transport is simple diffusion. Examples of

materials that pass through the cell membrane by this process are
small molecules like carbon dioxide (CO2) and oxygen (O).
Fig.2. Solute molecules move from high
to low concentration
A kind of simple diffusion of great importance is osmosis. This is the
diffusion of water across the cell membrane. The direction of the
movement of water depends on the amount of dissolved substances
or solute concentration of the solution surrounding a cell. If the
solute concentration of the solution is greater than that of a cell
(hypertonic solution), water will move out from the cell, causing
the cell to shrink. Conversely, if the solute concentration is less than
that of a cell (hypotonic solution), water will tend to move into the
cell, causing it to expand, and even burst. However, if the solute
concentration is equal to that of a cell (isotonic solution), then there
will be no net water movement. Thus, the cell remains intact.
Another form of passive transport is facilitated
diffusion. In this type of diffusion, protein molecules in
the cell membrane act as carriers for certain materials. Molecules
such as glucose and steroid hormones may be too large to penetrate
the cell membrane, thus requiring the help of protein carriers to bring
them into the cell.
Did you know that ………
The principle of osmosis has a wide variety of application in our
everyday life. Our old folks would usually advise us to gargle with
salt-water solution to relieve us from sore throat or to soak our foul-
smelling feet with salt-alum (tawas)-water solution to eradicate the
foul odor. The solutions used would have greater solute
concentration than inside the bacterial cells that cause the sore throat
or stinking feet. Thus, water from the bacterial cells are drawn out,
plasmolyzing and killing the bacterial cells.
ACTIVE TRANSPORT
This involves the expenditure of energy by the cell, since the
movement of materials goes against the concentration gradient that is
from a low concentration area to a high concentration area. Protein
carriers in the cell membrane are provided with energy by the cell to
perform such function. Cells can move substances in across the
plasma membrane by the import process of endocytosis or out across
the plasma membrane via the export process of exocytosis. Some
cells discharge wastes this way or secrete proteins, such as hormones
or digestive enzymes, into the bloodstream or into a food-digesting
organ like the stomach or small intestine.
Endocytosis is the process by which a cell membrane
invaginates and forms a pocket around a cluster of molecules.
This pocket pinches off and forms a vesicle that transports the
molecules into the cell. There are three types of endocytosis,
namely; phagocytosis, pinocytosis, and receptor-mediated
endocytosis
 
Phagocytosis- known as “cell eating”, the type of endocytosis
through which a cell takes in food particles.

Pinocytosis- known as “cell-drinking”, the type of endocytosis

by which a cell absorbs small particles outside and brings them
inside.

Receptor-mediated endocytosis- process by which cells absorb

metabolites, hormones, proteins by the inward budding of the
plasma membrane. It is a form of endocytosis in which receptor
proteins on the cell surface use to capture a specific target
molecule
WHAT FACTORS AFFECT RATE OF DIFFUSION?

1. Concentration. If the difference in concentration is higher, then

the molecules will go down the concentration gradient faster. If
there is not as great of a difference in concentration, the molecules
will not move as quickly, and the rate of diffusion will decrease.

2. Temperature. Particle move due to the kinetic energy associated

with them. as temperature increases, the kinetic energy associated
with each particle also increases. As a result, particles will move
faster. If they can move faster, then they can also diffuse faster.
3. Mass of Particle. Heavier particles will move more slowly and
so will have a slower rate of diffusion. Smaller particles on the
other hand will diffuse faster.

4. Solvent Properties. Viscosity and density greatly affect

diffusion. If the medium that a given particle must diffuse
through is very dense or viscous, then the particles will have a
harder time diffusing through it. So, the rate of diffusion will be
lower. If the medium is less dense or less viscous, then the
particles will be able to move more quickly and will diffuse
faster.
FACTORS AFFECT OSMOSIS

1. Concentration gradient. The greater the concentration

difference, the faster the rate of osmosis.

2. Temperature. The higher the temperature, the faster the rate of

osmosis.
THANK YOU!

Prepared by: Christian abellera vitales