BIOL 1306 Recitation Exercise

Membrane Transport and Cell-to-Cell Signaling

Part I. Passive Transport
1. Define the following. Be sure to include a description of how molecules move relative to their
concentration gradients in each circumstance.
Diffusion:

Osmosis:

Facilitated Diffusion:

Concentration gradient:

Electrochemical gradient:

2. Why do some molecules require transporters to move across cell membranes?

3. How do molecules like O2, CO2, and small hydrophobic molecules cross cell membranes?

4. Why would a molecule like an ion (Na+, K+, Cl-) require a transporter?

Part II. Types of Passive Transporters

A B

1. What type of transporter is shown in Figure A?

2. How does this type of transporter function? Does it have general or specific targets?

3. What type of transporter is shown in Figure B?

Dr. Lisa Farmer, Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston 1

 BIOL 1306 Recitation Exercise

4. Give an example of a molecule that you know uses the type of transporter in Figure B.

Part III. Active Transport A B

1. Discuss the major differences between the transporters labeled A and B

in the figure at right.

2. Some cells like neurons set up electrochemical gradients using ions like
Na+ that can be used to do work. How does a Na+-K+ pump work? What is
required in order for it to function?

Part IV. Cell Signaling and Signal Transduction

1. Describe the three steps of signal transduction:

- Reception:

- Transduction:

- Response:

2. What is a ligand?

3. What must happen for a ligand-gated ion channel to open? What happens once it opens? What
happens once the channel closes?

4. Steroid hormones are large communication molecules that are modified cholesterol molecules.
How do you think they enter a cell? Why?

Dr. Lisa Farmer, Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston 2

 BIOL 1306 Recitation Exercise

5. Complete the diagram below and answer the following questions pertaining to it:

Dr. Lisa Farmer, Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston 3

 BIOL 1306 Recitation Exercise

a. What type of molecule is the ligand shown here? Hydrophobic or lipid-insoluble? How can you
tell?

b. What physical change happens to the receptor when it receives a signal?

c. Which molecules are performing the transduction part of the pathway?

d. What is the output of this particular signal?

Dr. Lisa Farmer, Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston 4