Cell Transport Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is passive transport?

The movement of substances across a cell membrane without the use of energy by the cell (correct)

The process of molecules being actively transported

The process of molecules diffusing from high to low concentration

The movement of substances with energy

What is diffusion?

Movement of molecules from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration.

What is a concentration gradient?

The difference in the concentration of molecules across a distance.

What does equilibrium mean in the context of cellular transport?

The concentration of molecules will be the same throughout the space the molecules occupy. Signup and view all the answers

What is osmosis?

The process by which water molecules diffuse across a cell membrane from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration. Signup and view all the answers

What is a hypotonic solution?

A solution whose solute concentration is lower than the solute concentration inside the cell. Signup and view all the answers

What is a hypertonic solution?

A solution whose solute concentration is higher than the solute concentration inside the cell. Signup and view all the answers

What is an isotonic solution?

A solution whose solute concentration is equal to the solute concentration inside a cell. Signup and view all the answers

What is a contractile vacuole?

An organelle that accumulates water and then releases it periodically to maintain osmotic pressure. Signup and view all the answers

What is turgor pressure?

The pressure that is exerted on the inside of cell walls due to the movement of water into the cell. Signup and view all the answers

What is plasmolysis?

The contraction or shrinking of the cell membrane of a plant cell in a hypertonic solution. Signup and view all the answers

What is cytolysis?

The bursting of a cell. Signup and view all the answers

What is facilitated diffusion?

The transport of substances through a cell membrane along a concentration gradient with the aid of carrier proteins. Signup and view all the answers

What is a carrier protein?

A protein that transports substances across a cell membrane. Signup and view all the answers

What is an ion channel?

A complex of protein molecules that forms a pore through which ions can pass. Signup and view all the answers

What is active transport?

The movement of chemical substances across the cell membrane against a concentration gradient that requires energy. Signup and view all the answers

What is the sodium-potassium pump?

A carrier protein that uses ATP to actively transport sodium ions out of a cell and potassium ions into the cell. Signup and view all the answers

What is endocytosis?

The process by which a cell membrane surrounds a particle and encloses it in a vesicle to bring it into the cell. Signup and view all the answers

What is phagocytosis?

The process by which a cell engulfs large particles or whole cells. Signup and view all the answers

What is a phagocyte?

A cell that ingests and destroys foreign matter or microorganisms. Signup and view all the answers

What is exocytosis?

The process by which a substance is released from the cell through a vesicle that transports the substance to the cell surface. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Cell Transport Concepts

Passive transport: Movement of substances across cell membranes without energy expenditure.
Diffusion: Molecules move from high concentration areas to low concentration areas until equilibrium is reached.
Concentration gradient: The difference in molecular concentration between two areas influences molecular movement.
Equilibrium: Achieved when molecular concentrations are uniform throughout a space.

Water Movement

Osmosis: Water molecules diffuse through a membrane from higher to lower concentration.
Hypotonic solution: Has a lower solute concentration than the inside of a cell, potentially causing cells to swell.
Hypertonic solution: Contains a higher solute concentration than the inside of a cell, which may lead to cell shrinkage.
Isotonic solution: Solute concentration is equal inside and outside the cell, maintaining cell shape.

Cell Structures and Functions

Contractile vacuole: An organelle in protists that helps regulate osmotic pressure by expelling excess water.
Turgor pressure: Internal pressure due to water entering plant cells, essential for maintaining structure.
Plasmolysis: Occurs when a plant cell's membrane contracts in a hypertonic solution due to water loss.

Cell Viability

Cytolysis: The rupturing of a cell due to excess inward water movement.

Active Transport Mechanisms

Facilitated diffusion: Substances move across membranes via carrier proteins along concentration gradients.
Carrier protein: A specialized protein that assists in the transport of substances across membranes.
Ion channel: Protein complexes forming pores allowing selective ion passage.

Energy-Dependent Processes

Active transport: Movement of substances against concentration gradients requiring energy.
Sodium-potassium pump: A specific carrier protein that uses ATP to transport sodium out and potassium into cells.

Endocytosis and Exocytosis

Endocytosis: The process by which cells engulf particles, forming vesicles to bring materials into the cell.
Phagocytosis: A type of endocytosis where cells engulf large particles or other cells.
Phagocyte: A cell specialized for engulfing and destroying foreign substances.
Exocytosis: The process of expelling substances from a cell through vesicle fusion with the membrane.

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Description

Explore the key concepts of cell transport with these flashcards. Learn terms such as passive transport, diffusion, concentration gradient, and equilibrium. Perfect for students studying cell biology or related disciplines.