3.

3 Movement of Substances Across a

Plasma Membrane in Living Organisms.
Active and passive transport in living
organisms.
Where do passive and active transport
occur in living organisms?
Examples of passive and active
transport in living process
Example of Simple Diffusion:
Gaseous exchange between alveoli and blood capillaries
Example of Simple Diffusion:
Gaseous exchange via stomata
Example of Facilitated Diffusion:
Absorption of glucose/fructose/galactose in the Epithelial
cells of a villus.
Example of Facilitated Diffusion:
Absorption of fructose in the Epithelial cells of a villus.

1. The concentration of
fructose in the lumen is high
while the concentration of
fructose in the epithelial
cells is low.
2. The fructose in the lumen of
the small intestine diffuse
into the epithelial cells of
the villus through carrier
proteins by facilitated
diffusion.
3. It does not use energy/ATP.
Example of osmosis:
Absorption of water in root hairs of plants
1. Soil water contain higher
water concentration where
cell sap of the root hair
cells has low concentration
of water.
2. Water molecules diffuse
from the soil water into the
cell sap of the root hair cells
by osmosis follow the
concentration gradients.
3. This process does not require
energy.
Example of osmosis

• Absorption of water by root hairs

• Movement of water from one cell to

another

• Absorption of water in the alimentary

canal-stomach, small intestine and
colon
Example of Active Transport
• Absorption of mineral salts by roots hairs cells
1. The absorption of mineral
ions(nitrate, phosphate,
magnesium, potassium) into the
root hair cells pf plants is by active
transport.
2. There are specific protein pump to
pump different type of mineral ions.
3. Ions are pumped across the cell
membrane against their
concentration gradient of which the
ions are in higher concentration in
the cell than in the groundwater
solution outside the root hair cells
of plants.
Example of Active Transport
• Transport of Glucose from Leaves to Phloem Tissues
1. Glucose that is synthesised in green
leaves during photosynthesis is converted
to sucrose before transporting it into the
phloem tissues by active transport.
2. The active transport of sucrose into the
phloem uses proton-sucrose carrier
protein.
3. The proton pump hydrogen ions(H+ )out
of the companion cell(phloem tissues) by
using ATP to create a high concentration
of hydrogen ions outside the cell.
4. Sucrose is then transported together with
hydrogen ions(from proton pump) into
the cell by the proton-sucrose carrier
protein.
5. Sucrose is transported against its
concentration gradient but hydrogen ions
move down their concentration gradient.
Example of Active Transport
• Reabsorption of Glucose in the Kidney
• The absorption of glucose and amino acid in the villus
 Types of solution

Isotonic solution Hypotonic solution Hypertonic solution

(Iso = equal ) (Hypo= less) (Hyper= more)

• Water • Water concentration •Water concentration
concentration outside the cell is higher outside the cell is lower
inside and outside than the water than the water
of the cell is equal. concentration inside the concentration inside the
• Solution A and B cell. cell.
have the equal • Solution A is hypotonic •Solution A is hypertonic
Solute to solution B if solution to solution B if solution A
concentration A has a lower solute has a higher solute
Example: concentration concentration
isotonic drinks (100 Example: Example:
plus) Distilled water Salt
water/vinegar/sucrose
Effects of hypotonic, hypertonic and
isotonic solutions on red blood cell

Crenation Haemolysis
Effects of hypotonic, hypertonic
and isotonic solutions on plant cell

Plasmolysed Turgid
(flaccid)
 Effects of Animal and plant cell in
isotonic solution

water molecules
diffuse in and out
from the cell at
equal rate

 The solution's concentration is isotonic to the cell sap (1 mark)

 Thus, water molecuels diffuses in and out of the cell at equal
rate (1 mark) via osmosis (1 mark).
 This is because the net flow of water is zero (1 mark)
 No net gain and loss of water of the cells. (1 mark)
 The cells maintain normal shape(1 mark)
 Effects of Animal and plant cell in
hypertonic solution
Crenation of
Red blood
cells
 The solution's concentration is
hypertonic to the cell fluid (1 mark)
 Thus, water molecuels diffuses
out from the cell into the solution
(1 mark) via osmosis (1 mark).
 The net flow of water is negative (1
mark)
 Osmotic pressure decrease in
cells(1 mark)
 Cell shrinks (1 mark) and undergo
crenation(1 mark)
Plasmolysis
of plant cells
 The solution's concentration is
hypertonic to the cell sap (1 m)
 Thus, water molecuels
diffuses out from the cell sap
into the solution (1 mark) via
osmosis (1 mark).
 The net flow of water is
negative (1 mark)
 Vacuole and cytoplasm shrinks
 Plasma membrane pull away from
the cell wall.
 Cell becomes flaccid and undergo
plasmolysis
 Effects of Animal and plant cell in
hypotonic solution
Haemolysis
of Red blood
cells
 The solution's concentration is
hypotonic to the cell fluid (1 mark)
 Thus, water molecules diffuses
into the cell from the solution
(1 mark) via osmosis (1 mark).
 The net flow of water is positive
(1 mark)
 Osmotic pressure increase in
cells(1 mark)
 Cell swell and burst (1 mark) and
undergo haemolysis(1 mark)
Turgidity
of plant
cells
 The solution's concentration is
hypotonic to the cell sap (1 m)
 Thus, water molecuels
diffuses into the cell sap into
from the solution (1 mark) via
osmosis (1 mark).
 The net flow of water is
positive (1 mark)
 Vacuole increase in size (1m)
 Plasma membrane pushes against
the cell wall (1m)
 Cell becomes turgid (1m )
Experiment: 　
The effects of different solution on the stem of non-
woody plants(mustard green)
Liquid/solution Distilled water 5% Sucrose solution 30% Sucrose solution
(hypotonic solution) (isotonic solution) (hypertonic solution)

Drawing

Description • The strip bends Shape and length of • The strip bent
outwards the strips remains inwards
• Epidermis layer unchanged • Epidermis layer
facing inwards facing outwards
• Turgid, firm and • Soft, thinner and
longer shorter

inference • Water diffuses into No net movement of • Water diffuse out

the cell sap from water by osmosis, so from the cell sap
the solution the strip maintained into the solution
through the cut its shape by osmosis.
surface by • cells became
osmosis flaccid
• Cells swell
Experiment
Experiment 3.3.4 (COMPULSORY)
 Suggested activity:
1. Design an experiment to study the effects of different concentrations of solution on
animal and plant cells.
Think on it!!
1. If a plant cell was immersed in
hypertonic solution at the beginning of
an experiment and then was being put
into a distilled water after 30 minutes.

Explain the effects of the plant cell after

being put into the distilled water?
Yes!! Bingo !
Plant cells will undergo deplasmolysis.

This is because Distilled water is hypotonic

to the cell sap. Thus, water diffuses into the
cell sap from the distilled water by osmosis.
The net flow of water is positive.
The vacuoles swell, plasma membrane
pushed against the cell wall. The cell become
turgid.
Explain why the condition of plant in pot A
and pot B occur?

Pot A Pot B
 Water
diffuse
out via
osmosis

Water
diffuse in
Via
osmosis

Wilting
3.4
Movement of Substances Across a
Plasma Membrane and Its Application
in Daily Life

26
Pickles = food that being preserved in salt
solution/vinegar/ sugar solution
 The effects and applications of osmosis in
everyday life
a) Phenomenon of plant wilting
(Excessive usage of fertilizer/ Lack of water in the
ground)
b) Food preservation using salt/sugar or vinegar
(pickles/salted fish/kimchi)
c) Isotonic drinks
d) Oral Rehydration Solution for Diarrhoea Patients
e) Use of saline solution
f) Liposome
g) Reverse Osmosis
Phenomenon of plant wilting
1. Excessive used of fertilizer cause the
soil water becomes hypertonic to the
cell sap of the root hairs.
2. Water molecules diffuse out from the
cell sap of the root hair by osmosis.
3. Plant cells undergo plasmolysis.
4. Net flow of water becomes negative in
the plant cells.
5. Plant Cells becomes flaccid and wilting
occur in plants.
6. Cells in plants will undergo
deplasmolysis and recover once they
are watered.
7. The wilted plants will die if plasmolysis is
prolonged.
 Food preservation using salt / sugar
 Food can be preserved by using salts
and sugar.
 Salt solution/ sugar solution is
hypertonic to the (cell fluid of the
fishes/cell sap of fruits or vegetables)
food.
 Thus, water diffuse out from the fluid/
cell sap of the food
(vegetables/fruits/fished ) into the
hypertonic solution by osmosis.
 The food cells become dehydrated to
prevent the growth of bacteria and
fungi.
 Food can be kept longer.
Presevation of cabbage/ fruits using vinegar
Sample answer:

F1: Vinegar has a low pH/acidic

E1: Vinegar diffuses into the tissues of the cabbage/fruits
E3: by osmosis
E4: The tissues of the cabbage/fruits becomes acidic
E5: The low pH prevents the growth of microorganisms in
cabbage/fruits
E6: The cabbage and fruits can be preserved to last longer
Isotonic drinks 1. Isotonic drink which contain water,
ions (example Na+ and K+ ) and
sugar have the same potential as
blood and body cells.
2. During vigorous activities, an
athlete’s body loses much water and
ions through sweat.
3. Water lost will cause dehydration
which will disturb the balance of
osmosis of the body and functions of
the normal cells.
4. Isotonic drinks supply water and
mineral ions to replenish the loss
by sweat, while glucose is used to
generate energy.
Saline Solution
Saline solution is a sterile mixture that
consists of 8.5- 0.9 g sodium chloride per
100 ml water that is isotonic to body fluids.

Usage of saline solution:

1. To clean wounds-saline solution that is
isotonic to cells will not eliminate fluids
or add fluids on injured tissues.
2. Treat dehydration- Saline solution that
isotonic to blood can replenish the lost
body fluids and recover the osmotic
balance of the body.
3. Dilute medicines- that need to be
injected into the blood vessels to make
the medicinal solution isotonic to body
fluids, and therefore will not disturb the
osmotic balance of body fluids.
Oral Rehydration Salts
1. Diarrhea patients lose much water
due to frequent bowel movements,
2. The loss of body fluid which exceeds
the intake of water will dehydrate the
body.
3. The oral rehydration solution aim to
replenish body fluids and
electrolytes that are lost from the
body.
4. The oral rehydration solution contain
water, sodium chloride salt,
potassium chloride, trisodium
citrate, and glucose.
Liposome - is a spherical vesicle that contain aqueous
solution surrounded by phospholipid bilayer.

1. Liposomes are used to protect drugs or

active substances taken orally from being
destroyed by gastric juices. This way, drugs
directly reach the targeted cells.
2. There are a few different types of liposomes
used as a medicine or drug transmission
system in the medical and cosmetic fields.
3. The drug is first converted to the size of
nanoparticles before being packed in
liposome spheres.
4. Oral liposomes are continuously absorbed
through the mucous membranes in the
mouth and digestive tract into the
bloodstream to be transported to the target
cells.
5. In the target cell, the liposome joins the
plasma membrane of the cell to release the
medicine/drug into the cell.
Reverse Osmosis - a process of water filtration
Reverse osmosis is a technology commonly
used to extract fresh water from seawater using
the desalination process.

Reverse osmosis process:

1. Under a high hydrostatic pressure, water is
forced to pass through a semi-permeable
membrane.
2. All large-sized impurities cannot pass
through the semi-permeable membrane,
but they are trapped by the semi-
permeable membrane and then eliminated.
3. Only small water molecules can pass
through the semi -permeable membrane.
4. Water produced by this process is pure
water.