TRANSPORT MECHANISM

Transport Mechanism or also called Cell transport refers to the movement of substances across the cell
membrane.
As stated in the functions of the cell structures, cell membrane is a selectively permeable phospholipid
bilayer which means that the cell membrane may restrict substances that are not permitted to do so. This
unique characteristic of the membrane is dependent on the organization and characteristics of the
membrane lipids and proteins.

Transport Across Membranes

The molecular make-up of the PHOSPHOLIPID BILAYER limits the types of molecules that can pass
through it. For example, the hydrophobic (hydro-water phobia-afraid) or otherwise called as the water-
hating molecules like CO2 and O2 can easily pass through the lipid bilayer while ions like Ca 2+ and polar
molecules like H2O cannot. The hydrophobic interior of the bilayer does not allow ions and polar
molecules to pass through because they are hydrophilic or water loving.
For instances that the molecules are too large to pass (like sugars etc.), transport proteins allow these
molecules to pass through large openings in the membrane. In this way, the ions and polar molecules
avoid contact with the nonpolar layer.

FOUR MAIN WAYS OF CELL TRANSPORT

(Blue Color)
PASSIVE DIFFUSION
PASSIVE means that the type of transport does not need any energy input for the crossing of the
molecules.
Two Types of Passive Diffusion:
SIMPLE DIFFUSION
This type of diffusion refers to the movement of ANY chemical across the membrane down a
concentration gradient. It means that the molecules move from a HIGHER CONCENTRATION to a
LOWER CONCENTRATION.

OSMOSIS
This type of passive diffusion refers to the exclusive transport of WATER molecules across the
membrane down a concentration gradient. It means that the WATER MOLECULES move from a
higher concentration area to a lower concentration area.

FACILITATED DIFFUSION
FACILITATED means that transport proteins are involved in the process. This however is the same
through with the simple diffusion (high concentration gradient to a lower concentration gradient) but only
differs in the process of moving across.

ACTIVE TRANSPORT
ACTIVE means that the cell needs to use energy to pump out or pull in certain ions and molecules. These
kind of cell transports need proteins called pumps because an amount of energy is needed to move
against the concentration gradient. This means that this specific type of cell transport moves towards a
higher concentration gradient. To give you an idea, the normal flow is from a higher concentration to a
lower concentration. You may imagine that a water from a lower elevation needs to be transported to a
higher elevation which would need pumps. This is the same through with the active transport.

VESICLE TRANSPORT
VESICLE means that the type of transport is through the aid of vesicles or bubble-like structures. Large
molecules are encapsulated by the vesicles and then passes through the membrane. These vesicles are
made from pieces of membrane.
EXOCYTOSIS
It is an energy-consuming process in which cells expel secretory vesicles containing nanoparticles and
other chemicals out of the cell into the extracellular space.

ENDOCYTOSIS
It is a process in which the plasma membrane captures small molecules, macromolecules, and even small
cells in a pocket that turns into vesicles, and eventually the vesicles separate from the membrane to carry
its contents towards the interior of the cell.

PHAGOCYTOSIS
It is a process by which cells called phagocytes ingest or engulf other cells or particles. Phagocytosis is a
means of eating hence phagocytosis is named as “cell eating”. However, in higher order of animals, it is a
means of response against invaders like bacteria.

PINOCYTOSIS
It is a process by which cells engulf liquid droplets. It is a type of endocytosis in which the cell engulfs
external substances gathering them into special membrane-bound vesicles contained within the cells.
This specific type is only for liquid substances hence it’s named “cell drinking”.