Cellular Transport –

The Cellular Traffic

Kimberly Matas
Angel Trinidad
 The cell is a dynamic system that has
its own organized ways of controlling
the passage and transport of
materials. The cell membrane is like a
busy highway with lots of molecules
being transported within and outside
of the cell. The traffic of the transport
of the molecules is well coordinated
such that molecules know where to
pass through, when and how to be
transported.
 This lesson describes the cellular
mechanisms that ensure the
efficient traffic system in the
transport of different molecules
important to maintain cellular
processes.
 Diffusion

 The inside and outside of the cell are constantly

surrounded by molecules of varying concentrations.
This difference in concentrations determines the
directions of the movement of the molecules.
Molecules are always in constant motion and they
usually have the tendency to move from area where
they are greatly concentrated to an area of lesser
concentration.
This process is referred to as diffusion. Diffusion
is a spontaneous process that will continue to
occur as long as there is a concentration
gradient or difference in concentrations of the
molecules between two areas such as difference
of particular molecule concentrations inside and
outside of the cell.
This concentration gradient is the driving force that
facilitates diffusion to occur. Molecules usually
diffuse down its own concentration gradient. Once
the molecules are evenly distributed in the two areas,
equilibrium is reached and diffusion stops. However,
this does not mean that molecules stop moving.
 Diffusion Across the Membrane
 Diffusion across the selectively permeable
membrane is termed as passive transport. It is
passive in the sense that the cell does not spend
energy for the molecules to pass through the
membrane. Being selectively permeable, some
substances can easily pass through the
membrane, some cross with assistance of
transport proteins, and others do not cross at
all.
One substance that can easily diffuse through the
membrane is water. Diffuion of water across the
membrane is called osmosis. Osmosis is a type of
passive transport. In discussing osmosis, it is helpful
to describe the different types of solutions
surrounding the cell. Solution is a combination of
solutes dissolved in solvent usually water. A solution
is hypertonic to the cell, if it has higher solute
concentration: hypotonic, if it has lower solute
concentration; and isotonic if solutions surrounding
the cell has equal solute concentration with that
inside of the cell.
The movement of water through the membrane is
from the region of hypotonic solution to the region
of hypertonic solution. This direction of water
movement is determined not just by the kinds of
solute dissolved but rather by the total solute
concentration.
Movement of water across the cell membrane and
water balance between the cell and its environment
are vital for the survival of organisms.