Transport Across Membranes Flashcards
What is diffusion
The net movement of particles from a region of high concentration to a region of low concentration down the concentration gradient
What is equilibrium
When the concentrations of particles are the same on both sides it is called equilibrium
At equilibrium what occurs
There is no net movement of particles, so diffusion has stopped.
What is a feature of diffusion
It is a passive process that doesn’t require metabolic energy to take place
What is metabolic energy
Energy that is produced by respiration
What is the first factor affecting diffusion (conc g)
Concentration gradient - the greater the concentration gradient the greater the rate of diffusion
What is the second factor affecting rate of diffusion (+ or -)
Charge of the particles - because the cell membrane contains a hydrophobic core charged particles such as ions will not be able to diffuse through the membrane easily. Whereas uncharged molecules diffuse rapidly across membranes.
What is the third factor affecting rate of diffusion (big small)
Size of particles-
Smaller particles will diffuse faster than larger particles.
What is the 4th factor affecting rate of diffusion (temp)
Temperature- in warmer conditions particles have more kinetic energy so diffuse faster than in colder conditions.
What is the 5th factor affecting rate of diffusion (SA)
SA- diffusion takes place quicker if the membrane has a larger surface area.
Factors that affect the rate of diffusion 6 (cm)
Distance - the greater the distance the slower the rate of diffusion
Factors that affect the rate of diffusion 7 (protein)
Presence of protein channels or carrier proteins in the membrane for facilitated diffusion
Why do not all substances diffuse across the cell membrane at the same rate
As the centre of the cell membrane is hydrophobic (due to the fatty acid tails). Hydrophobic substances such as steroid hormones diffuse rapidly whereas hydrophilic substances such as ions and polar molecules can’t diffuse across the membrane.
What is the exception to this
Water can diffuse across the membrane because it is a very small molecule
Why does facilitated diffusion occur
many hydrophilic substances are required for processes in the cell. So cells transport them by facilitated diffusion.
What happens in facilitated diffusion
Hydrophilic substances move across the cell membrane via protein molecules.
The protein molecules allow the hydrophilic substances to pass through without interacting with the hydrophobic centre of the phospholipid bilayer.
What are the two types of proteins involved in facilitated diffusion examples of
Carrier proteins and channel proteins
What do carrier proteins do
They have a binding site for a specific chemical.
When the chemical binds the carrier protein undergoes a change in the tertiary structure.
This change brings the chemical across the membrane and the chemical is then released.
What are protein channels
A protein with a central pore.
The channel or pore is lined with hydrophilic amino acids and contains water.
As a result hydrophilic substances can pass through the channel from one side of the membrane to the other.
What is a feature of proteins involved channels (selectivity )
protein channels are selective for the chemical that can pass through
What is a feature of protein channels (opening)
Some protein channels are always open whereas others only open in response to a certain trigger.
E.g chemicals binding to the protein channel
E.g A change in voltage across the membrane
What is active transport
Where carrier proteins in the membrane transport a chemical from a region of low concentration to high concentration against the concentration gradient.
What does active transport require
Energy which is provided by ATP
What does the molecule or ion that is transported do
It attaches to the receptor site on the carrier protein. At the side of the membrane with a low concentration of the chemical.
What is the second stage of active transport
the molecule of ATP binds to the carrier protein and then undergoes hydrolysis producing phosphorus and ADP
What is the third stage of active transport
The phosphate attaches to the carrier protein causing it to change shape. The carrier protein then transports the molecule or ion to the other side of the membrane where it is released.
What does the phosphate then do
it leaves the carrier protein returning to its previous shape.
What does the ADP and Pi do it reforms to ATP during respiration.