Cell Transport Processes and Mechanisms

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Questions and Answers

What is diffusion?

Movement of particles across a semi-permeable membrane

Movement of molecules from low to high concentration

Movement of molecules from high to low concentration (correct)

Movement of molecules in a vacuum

What is passive transport?

The movement of substances across a cell membrane without the use of energy by the cell.

What is active transport?

The movement of materials through a cell membrane using energy.

What is filtration?

Water and solutes are forced through a membrane by fluid, or hydrostatic pressure. Signup and view all the answers

What is a solvent?

A liquid substance capable of dissolving other substances. Signup and view all the answers

What is a solute?

The substance that is dissolved. Signup and view all the answers

What ions are involved in pumps?

Na+ and K+. Signup and view all the answers

What is endocytosis?

Process by which a cell takes material into the cell by infolding of the cell membrane. Signup and view all the answers

What is pinocytosis?

Process by which a cell takes in liquid from the surrounding environment. Signup and view all the answers

What is osmosis?

Movement of water from high to low concentration. Signup and view all the answers

What does isotonic mean?

When the concentration of two solutions is the same. Signup and view all the answers

What is phagocytosis?

Small solid particles taken in by lysosomes. Signup and view all the answers

What is facilitated diffusion?

The diffusion of molecules across a membrane through transport proteins. Signup and view all the answers

What does hypertonic mean?

Having a higher concentration of solute than another solution. Signup and view all the answers

What are cilia?

The hairlike projections on the outside of cells that move in a wavelike manner. Signup and view all the answers

What does hypotonic mean?

Having a lower concentration of solute than another solution. Signup and view all the answers

What are microvilli?

Projections that increase the cell's surface area. Signup and view all the answers

What is a vesicle?

Wrapper. Signup and view all the answers

What is exocytosis?

Process by which vesicles release their contents outside the cell. Signup and view all the answers

What is a flagellum?

A long, whiplike structure that helps a cell to move. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Cell Transport Processes

Diffusion: Movement of molecules from areas of high concentration to low concentration, driving the distribution of substances within cells.
Passive Transport: Involves movement across a cell membrane without energy expenditure by the cell; essential for nutrient absorption and waste removal.
Active Transport: Requires energy to move materials through a cell membrane, allowing cells to accumulate substances against their concentration gradient.
Filtration: Mechanism where water and solutes are propelled through a membrane by hydrostatic pressure, important for kidney function and blood filtration.

Solvent and Solute

Solvent: A liquid that can dissolve a solute, playing a critical role in chemical reactions and biological processes.
Solute: The substance that is dissolved in a solvent; critical for creating solutions necessary for metabolic functions.

Cellular Structures and Mechanisms

Pumps: Na+ and K+ pumps are essential for maintaining electrochemical gradients across cell membranes, crucial for nerve impulse transmission and muscle contraction.
Endocytosis: A cellular process that enables cells to internalize materials by infolding the cell membrane; vital for nutrient uptake and immune response.
Pinocytosis: A form of endocytosis specialized for the uptake of fluids from the surrounding environment; important for nutrient absorption in tissues.
Osmosis: Specific type of diffusion focused on the movement of water from areas of high water concentration to low, crucial for cell hydration and function.

Tonicity Concepts

Isotonic: Conditions where two solutions have equal solute concentration, preventing net movement of water, maintaining cell stability.
Hypertonic: A solution with a higher concentration of solute compared to another, leading to potential cell shrinkage as water moves out.
Hypotonic: A solution with a lower solute concentration than another, resulting in cell swelling or bursting as water enters the cell.

Cellular Extensions

Cilia: Hairlike structures on cell surfaces that facilitate movement and transport of materials, such as mucus in the respiratory tract.
Microvilli: Projections that significantly increase surface area, aiding in absorption, particularly in the small intestine for nutrient uptake.
Flagellum: A long structure that propels cells, commonly found in sperm cells, facilitating movement through liquid environments.

Vesicular Transport

Vesicles: Small membrane-bound sacs used for transporting materials within the cell and expelling waste products.
Exocytosis: Process where vesicles fuse with the plasma membrane to release their contents outside the cell, essential for hormone secretion and neurotransmitter release.

Additional Transport Mechanisms

Facilitated Diffusion: Involves transport proteins that assist specific molecules in moving across a membrane, vital for cells that require regulated nutrient entry.
Phagocytosis: A type of endocytosis that involves the ingestion of small solid particles, often utilized by immune cells to eliminate pathogens.

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Description

Explore key concepts in cell transport processes including diffusion, passive and active transport, and filtration. Understand the roles of solvents and solutes in biological functions. This quiz covers essential cellular mechanisms vital for maintaining homeostasis.