ISTA Licence HSE

Mechanisms of
substance exchange
within cells
 Introduction
Cellular function and survival rely on
the ability of cells to exchange
substances with their environment.
This exchange of substances,
including nutrients, gases, and waste
products, is vital for various cellular
processes.
 Introduction
There are several mechanisms
through which substances are
exchanged within cells, and these
processes ensure homeostasis and
proper cellular function.
 Introduction

Passive transport and active transport

are two fundamental mechanisms by
which substances move across cell
membranes in biology.
Passive
Transport
Passive Transport:
Definition: is the movement of
molecules or ions across a cell
membrane from an area of higher
concentration to an area of lower
concentration. It occurs spontaneously
and does not require the input of
energy (ATP) from the cell
Types of passive transport:

1- Diffusion: This is the passive

movement of small, nonpolar
molecules (e.g., O2, Co2) through
the lipid bilayer of the cell membrane
according to the concentration
gradient .
PASSIVE TRANSPORT : 1- Diffusion

Movement of molecules from an area of high

concentration to an area of lower concentration.
PASSIVE TRANSPORT : 1- Diffusion

High

Low
PASSIVE TRANSPORT : 1- Diffusion
PASSIVE TRANSPORT : 1- Diffusion
Common types of passive transport:

2- Facilitated Diffusion: Facilitated

diffusion involves the use of protein
channels or carriers to help specific
molecules move across the cell
membrane.
PASSIVE TRANSPORT : 2- Facilitated
Diffusion:
2- Facilitated Diffusion:
Aquaporins: are integral membrane
proteins that form water channels,
facilitating the transport of water molecules
across biological membranes while
excluding most other solutes. These
proteins are essential for maintaining water
homeostasis within cells and various
organisms.
PASSIVE TRANSPORT : 3- Osmosis:
Common types of passive transport:

3- Osmosis: is a specific type of

diffusion involving the movement of
water molecules across a
semipermeable membrane from an
area of lower solute concentration to
an area of higher solute concentration.
PASSIVE TRANSPORT : 3- Osmosis:
Active
Transport
Active Transport:
Definition: is the movement of
molecules or ions across a cell
membrane from an area of lower
concentration to an area of higher
concentration, requires the input of
energy, typically in the form of ATP.
Types Active Transport :

Primary Active Transport: Involves

the direct use of energy (usually ATP)
to transport molecules using
specialized pump proteins. An
example is the sodium-potassium
pump.
The sodium-potassium pump :
also known as the sodium-potassium
ATPase, actively transport sodium ions
(Na⁺) out of the cell and potassium ions
(K⁺) into the cell. It is a key player in
maintaining the ionic balance necessary
for cellular processes like nerve
conduction
The sodium-potassium pump :
Types Active Transport :
Endocytosis: cell engulfs large
particles, liquids, or other cells by
wrapping its cell membrane around the
target and forming a vesicle. It’s a type
of active transport because it requires
energy to form and transport the vesicle
into the cell.
Endocytosis:
Proteins
Types Active Transport :
Exocytosis: It involves the release of
materials from a cell by fusing a vesicle
containing the materials with the cell
membrane. This process expels
substances from the cell into the
extracellular environment and requires
energy.
Exocytosis: