Cell transport occurs when the cell membrane allows nutrients or materials in and out of the cell.
Since we’re talking about cell transport, we might as well talk about Diffusion too. What is
diffusion in a cell? Diffusion is the movement of molecules from an area of high concentration of
the molecules to an area with a lower concentration. The difference in the concentrations of the
molecules in the two areas is called the concentration gradient.
And for the forms of transport, we have Active and Passive. The simplest forms of transport
across a membrane are passive. Passive transport does not require the cell to expend any energy
and involves a substance diffusing down its concentration gradient across a membrane.
A concentration gradient is a just a region of space over which the concentration of a substance
changes, and substances will naturally move down their gradients, from an area of higher to an
area of lower concentration.
During active transport, substances move against the concentration gradient, from an area of low
concentration to an area of high concentration. This process is “active” because it requires the
use of energy (usually in the form of ATP). It is the opposite of passive transport.
Active transport requires assistance from carrier proteins, which change conformation when ATP
hydrolysis occurs.
Osmosis is just the same as diffusion.
We have 3 types of cell solutions -
Cells in a hypotonic solution. If a cell is in a solution that has a lower concentration of solute.
The cell is said to be in a hypotonic solution. Hypocomes from the Greek word meaning under.
There is more water outside of the cell than inside.
Cells in an isotonic solution. When a cell is in solution that has the same concentrations of water
and solutes-ions sugars, proteins, and other substances- as its cytoplasm, the cell is said to be in
an isotonic solution. Iso- comes from the Greek word meaning equal.
Cells in a hypertonic solution. When a cell is placed in a hypertonic solution, the concentration
of the solute outside of the cell is higher than it is inside. Hyper- comes from the Greek word
meaning above.
What I could do in real life to test this is I could experiment with paper towels. I can demonstrate
passive transport by soaking a paper towel in a cup of water and then taking another paper towel
and soaking it in a cup of salt water. The first paper towel will shrink and the second one will
swell because water is moving down its concentration gradient.
Janessa Nicole M. Bangayan
Grade 8 Pythagoras