Cell Transport

Diffusion
The cytoplasm is a solution of many substances
in water.
Concentration=mass/volume
Diffusion is the process by which molecules move
from an area of high concentration to an area of
low concentration.
(Basically, from where there are more molecules to
where there are less molecules, until they are even.)

High
Concentration

Glucose
molecules

Cell
Membrane
Low
Concentration

Protein
channel

Osmosis
Selectively permeable means that only some
substances can pass through.
Osmosis - is the diffusion of water through a
selectively permeable membrane.

 Water diffuses from an area of high

concentration to an area of low concentration.
Diffusion will stop once equilibrium is reached
We say a solution has reached equilibrium when
there is no net movement (substances move
back and forth equally).

In comparing the inside of the cell to the solutions on the

outside of the cell:
Isotonic- the solution on the outside has the same
concentration of solutes and water as the solution inside the
cell, causing the cell to remain unchanged.
Hypertonic- the solution outside has a HIGHER
concentration of solutes (and less water) than the solution
inside the cell, causing the cell to lose water and shrink.
Hypotonic- the solution outside has a LOWER
concentration of solutes (and more water) than the
solution inside the cell, causing the cell to gain water and
swell.
Pressure is exerted on the hypertonic side

Effects of Solutions on Cells

Shriveling Cells
occurs in
Plant Cells
Animal
Plasmolysis - occurs in
plant cells placed in a
hypertonic solution for a
long period of time. The
cell shrivels and pulls away
from the cell wall.
Turgidity occurs in plant
cells placed in a hypotonic
solution for a long period of
time. The cell swells but
does not burst due to the
pressure of the cell wall.

animal cells placed in a

hypertonic solution for a
long period of time. The
cell can eventually die due
to lack of water.
Lysis occurs in animal
cells placed in a hypotonic
solution for a long period of
time. The animal cell
membrane bursts open and
dies due to an excess of
water.