How Do Substances Pass

Across the Cell Membrane?

• Molecules such as starch cannot pass across
the cell’s membrane.

• Charged ions, such as sodium, potassium and

calcium cannot pass across the fatty part of
the membrane. These ions require special
protein channels to enter or leave the cell.

• Small, fat molecules, as well as oxygen and

carbon dioxide can pass directly through the
fatty part of the cell’s membrane.
 Simple diffusion: substances passing
across the fatty part of the membrane.
 Less Crowded Place
More Crowded Place

High Low
Concentration Concentration
Many nutrients, such as vitamins, minerals and
glucose enter a cell by diffusion across its
membrane.
 Diffusion is the movement of molecules
from a higher concentration to a lower
concentration without using ATP (energy).
Diffusion is a type of passive transport.
No ATP needed!
Molecules will move across a cell’s membrane in an
attempt to establish equilibrium (an equal number of
molecules on both sides). However, this is never
achieved. Instead, the cell achieves dynamic
equilibrium.
Diffusion at systemic capillaries
CO2 diffuses into leaves via
stomata. Guard cells open
and close stomata.
What could the blue molecules be? What
could the red molecules be? Explain.
The blue molecule could be starch, which is too large
to pass across a membrane. The red molecule could
be glucose, which is small enough to diffuse across
the membrane.
 Diffusion that requires a protein channel.
Glucose and some amino acids use facilitated
diffusion to enter cells.
 Charged substances (ions), such as sodium,
potassium, chloride and magnesium need
ion channels to pass across a cell membrane.
Active Transport Uses ATP (Energy)
Active transport uses ATP (energy) because
molecules are moving from a lower
concentration to a higher concentration.
Hypotonic: plenty water; low salt/sugar. (Water will move
into the cell)
Hypertonic: plenty salt/sugar; low water. (Water will move
out of the cell)
Isotonic: salt/sugar concentration is equal inside and outside
of the cell. (The cell will be unaffected)
Osmosis:

Water molecules move to where it is

saltier or sweeter. In other words, water
moves to a higher concentration of solute.

SALT SUCKS!
SUGAR SUCKS!
Osmosis is the diffusion of water. No ATP
(energy) is required.
 Purple onion cells placed
in a hypertonic solution.
SALT SUCKS! SUGAR SUCKS!
The seasoning is salty, and therefore
pulled water out of the plums.
1. Osmosis moves
water from the soil
into the roots.
2. Osmosis moves
water up the
xylem.
3. Osmosis moves
water from the
xylem into the
leaves.
Hypothesis: the potato specimen that is exposed to the
highest concentration of salt will lose the most water.

Methodology:

Controlled Variables

• Same volume of water in each beaker

• Same type of salt used
• Same beginning mass of each potato sample
• Each potato sample must be in the solution for the same
amount of time

Experimental / Manipulated Variable:

• Concentration of salt in each beaker

Results: Change in Mass of Potato Based on the
Concentration of Salt
Beaker Beginning Mass Ending Mass of Difference in
of Potato Potato Sample Mass
Sample
1 (water only) 2.0 g 4.1 g + 2.1 g

2 (1% salt) 2.0 g 2.0 g 0.0 g

3 (2.5% salt) 2.0 g 1.7 g - 0.3 g

4 (5% salt) 2.0 g 0.9 g - 1.1 g

Why didn’t the potato sample in beaker 2 lose or gain mass?

The concentration of salt in the potato sample and in the

solution was the same.
SUMMARY