Cell Transport Flashcards
Unit 1, Cell Biology
How to cells maintain homeostasis?
They need to bring in food, water, oxygen and eliminate wastes
What are two general types of transport into and out of the cell
- Passive transport, no energy required.
- Active transport, requries energy
Define brownian motion
All particles being under random movement
Define Diffusion
Movement of particles from an area of high concentration to low concentration, no energy required (Passive)
Define concentration gradient
When the concentration of something builds up in one area
Define equilibrium
Equal distribution of all particles in the area
When does diffusion occuer?
They occur until the particles have reached equilibrium
Define dynamic equilibrium
When at equilibrium the particles are still in motion but there is no net change
Define simple diffusion
When particles pass through the phospholipid bilayer from high to low concentration without energy being required
Define Osmosis
The passive movement of water from an area to low solute concentration to high solute concentration through a semipermeable membrane
Low to High
Why is the net movement of water from low [solute] to high [solute]?
Areas with high [solute] have a lower [freely movable water] than areas with a lower [solute]
Define Aquaporins
Water channels present in some cells (ie. kidney cells, plant root hair cells), greatly increase permeability of water
Categorisation of solutions
Solutions can be categorised as hypertonic, hypotonic or isotonic according to their relative solute concentrations
Define hypertonic
Solutions with relatively higher solute concentrations are categorised as hypertonic (high solute ⇒ gains water)
Define hypotonic
Solutions with relatively lower solute concentrations are categorised as hypotonic (low solute ⇒ loses water)
Define isotonic
Solutions that have equivalent solute concentrations are categorised as isotonic (same solute ⇒ no net water flow)
Define Osmolarity
A measure of solute concentration
Concentration
Amount of solute (moles) per unit volume (v-3 or dm-3) of solution