Module 3: Transport of Materials Across the Cell Membrane
Cell transport refers to the movement of substances across a cell's selectively permeable membrane, essential for
maintaining homeostasis.
It is divided into:
1. Passive transport (requiring no energy, moving with a concentration gradient) and
2. Active transport (requiring energy, moving against a concentration gradient)
1. Passive transport
Substances naturally move "down" their concentration gradient (from an area of high concentration to an area of
low concentration) without expending energy.
1. Simple Diffusion: Small, nonpolar molecules (like O₂ and CO₂) slip directly through the phospholipid bilayer.
2. Facilitated Diffusion: Larger or charged molecules (like glucose or ions) cross the membrane with the help of
specialized transport proteins (channel or carrier proteins).
3. Osmosis: The specific facilitated diffusion of water molecules across a semipermeable membrane.
Some common, everyday examples include:
Scent Dispersion: Spraying perfume, lighting incense, or even the smell of brewing coffee diffuses from a
concentrated area (the bottle or cup) into the surrounding air
Breathing
Making tea
Food coloring
Deflating balloons
Carbon dioxide bubbles in an open soda bottle diffuse into the outside air because the concentration is higher inside
the bottle than it is in the room
2. Facilitated diffusion
Facilitated diffusion is a type of passive transport where large or charged molecules cross a cell membrane with the
help of special transport proteins.
It requires no energy because molecules move "down" their concentration gradient—from an area of higher
concentration to lower concentration
Examples:
1. Fueling Your Muscles- our muscles relies on protein channels called GLUT transporters to safely enter muscle and
fat cells for energy
2. Thinking and Moving
3. Cell Repair
4. Brain Function
3. Osmosis
Osmosis is the process where water (or another solvent) moves through a semi-permeable membrane from an area
with a lower concentration of dissolved substances (solutes) to an area with a higher concentration of solutes
Examples:
- plant roots absorb water from the soil
- wilted vegetables soak in water
- Salting meat or placing fruit in heavy sugar syrup
Hypertonic: The solution has a higher solute concentration than the cell's cytoplasm. Water flows out of the cell,
causing it to shrink or shrivel.
Hypotonic: The solution has a lower solute concentration than the cell's cytoplasm. Water flows into the cell, causing
it to swell and potentially burst.
Isotonic: The solution has an equal solute concentration to the cell's cytoplasm. There is no net movement of water,
leaving the cell stable and at its normal size
2. Active transport
Cells expend energy (usually ATP) to move molecules "uphill" against their concentration gradient (from low to high
concentration).
Protein Pumps: Transmembrane proteins use ATP to force molecules (like the Sodium-Potassium pump) across the
membrane.
2. Bulk Transport: Cells move very large molecules or entire particles by wrapping them in membrane-bound
vesicles.
> This process moves large particles, macromolecules, or large volumes of fluid across the plasma membrane using
vesicles.
1. Endocytosis: The cell membrane folds inward to engulf external materials, pinching off into an intracellular
vesicle.
Phagocytosis: Cell eating; the engulfment of large, solid particles or whole cells (e.g., a white blood cell consuming
bacteria).
Pinocytosis: Cell drinking; the non-specific intake of extracellular fluid and dissolved solutes.
Receptor-mediated endocytosis: Target molecules bind to specific surface receptors before the membrane
invaginates, ensuring highly selective uptake (e.g., cholesterol intake).
2. Exocytosis: Intracellular vesicles fuse with the plasma membrane to release their contents outside the cell. This is
vital for secreting hormones, enzymes, and neurotransmitters.