Cell Transport Flashcards
What are the main components of the cell membrane?
Lipids, carbohydrates, and proteins.
What are the functions of the cell membrane?
It provides physical isolation, regulates exchange, monitors the environment, and offers structural support.
Differentiate between intracellular fluid (ICF) and extracellular fluid (ECF).
ICF is inside the cell, while ECF is outside the cell.
How does diffusion differ from osmosis?
Diffusion involves the movement of substances, while osmosis specifically refers to the movement of water across a membrane.
What is carrier-mediated transport?
It’s a mechanism where carrier proteins facilitate the movement of molecules across the membrane.
Explain the concept of tonicity.
Tonicity describes the ability of a solution to cause water movement into or out of a cell.
ow does active transport differ from passive transport?
Active transport requires energy, while passive transport does not.
What is the role of ATP in active transport?
ATP provides the energy necessary for active transport processes.
What are transport vesicles, and what is their function?
Transport vesicles are membranous sacs that facilitate the movement of substances into or out of the cell.
Define osmosis and its significance in cellular function.
Osmosis is the movement of water across a semi-permeable membrane, crucial for maintaining cell volume and function.
How do cells regulate exchange with the environment?
Through mechanisms like diffusion, osmosis, and active transport.
Describe primary active transport.
Primary active transport involves the direct use of ATP to move molecules against their concentration gradient.
How does tonicity affect cellular function?
Tonicity influences the movement of water into or out of cells, affecting cell volume and function.
What are the consequences of osmotic pressure?
Osmotic pressure can lead to changes in cell volume and affect cellular function.
Explain the concept of osmotic pressure.
Osmotic pressure is the minimum pressure required to prevent the inward flow of solvent (usually water) across a semi-permeable membrane due to osmosis.
How is osmotic concentration measured, and what unit is used?
Osmotic concentration, also known as osmolarity, is measured in osmoles per liter (Osm/L).
Differentiate between osmolarity and tonicity.
Osmolarity refers to the concentration of solute particles per liter of solution, while tonicity describes the ability of a solution to cause water movement into or out of a cell.
Explain how hypertonic, isotonic, and hypotonic solutions affect cell volume.
In a hypertonic solution, where solute concentration is higher outside the cell, water moves out of the cell, causing it to shrink. In an isotonic solution, the solute concentration is equal inside and outside the cell, resulting in no net movement of water. In a hypotonic solution, where solute concentration is lower outside the cell, water moves into the cell, causing it to swell.
What factors determine the tonicity of a solution?
Tonicity is determined by the concentration of solutes in the solution and their ability to cause water movement across a membrane.
