Faculty of dentistry

Passive transport across the cell membrane, osmosis &

filtration
Dr/ Norhan Sobhy
By the end of this lecture the student will be able to:
1. List the different mechanisms of transport across the cell membrane.
2. Define passive transport mechanism.
3. Describe simple and facilitated diffusion.
4. Explain the different factors affecting the rate of diffusion.
5. Identify osmosis and filtration.

The cell membrane consists almost entirely of a lipid bilayer, but it also contains
large numbers of protein molecules in the lipid, many of which penetrate all the way
through the membrane, fig (1). The lipid bilayer is not miscible with either the
extracellular fluid or the intracellular fluid. Therefore, it constitutes a barrier against
movement of water molecules and water-soluble substances between the extracellular
and intracellular fluid compartments. However, as demonstrated in fig (1), a few
substances can penetrate this lipid bilayer, diffusing directly through the lipid
substance itself; this is true mainly of lipid-soluble substances. The protein molecules
in the membrane have entirely different properties for transporting substances. Their
molecular structures interrupt the continuity of the lipid bilayer, constituting an
alternative pathway through the cell membrane. Most of these penetrating proteins,
therefore, can function as transport proteins.

Figure (1): Transport pathways through the cell membrane, and the basic
mechanisms of transport.

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Transport through the cell membrane, either directly through the lipid bilayer or
through the proteins, occurs by one of two basic processes: passive or active
transport.

Passive transport:

It means random molecular movement through intermolecular spaces in the

membrane or in combination with a carrier protein, from areas of high concentration
to areas of low concentration, by the aid of the kinetic energy of the molecules.

A molecule can diffuse through the membrane if it is:

✓ Lipid soluble e.g. oxygen and carbon dioxide.
✓ Small enough to pass through membrane channels e.g. electrolytes.
✓ Assisted by a carrier molecule e.g. glucose and amino acids.

Diffusion through the cell membrane is divided into two subtypes called
simple diffusion and facilitated diffusion.

1. Simple diffusion:
It is the transport of substances either through the lipid bilayer or through the
channel proteins of the cell membrane along electrochemical gradient.
➢ Simple diffusion through the lipid bilayer, fig (2):
Non-polar and lipid-soluble substances (hydrophobic substances) diffuse
directly through the lipid bilayer e.g. oxygen, carbon dioxide, and fat-soluble vitamins.

Figure (2): Simple diffusion through the lipid bilayer.

➢ Simple diffusion through the channel proteins, fig (3):

Diffusion of water and water-soluble substances occurs through channel
proteins. The channels are highly selective. Some channels are continuously opened
(leak channels). Others are controlled by gates that can be opened or closed by various
chemicals or electrical signals.

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 Figure (3): Transport of sodium and potassium ions through protein channels.

Factors affecting the rate of diffusion

1) Surface area of the membrane: The greater the surface area of the membrane
the higher the rate of diffusion.
2) Concentration gradient: Greater concentration difference of the substance on
both sides of the membrane increases the rate of diffusion.
3) Pressure gradient: The higher the difference in pressure of the substance on
both sides of the membrane, the more the rate of diffusion.
4) Permeability of the membrane: the rate of diffusion increases by increasing
the permeability of the membrane.

2. Facilitated diffusion, fig (4):

It is also called carrier-mediated
diffusion because a substance transported in
this manner diffuses through the membrane
using a specific carrier protein to help.

The substance at the outer side of the

lipid membrane combines with a carrier,
forming a complex that passes through the
membrane, where it splits at its inner side.
The absorbed substance passes toward the
cytoplasm and the carrier toward the outer
surface of the membrane and the process can Figure (4): Postulated mechanism for
be repeated. facilitated diffusion.

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 It occurs in cases of lipid insoluble particles and large sized particles such as
glucose and amino acids.

The exchange of body fluids is affected by two major forces; osmosis and
filtration.

A. Osmosis

The diffusion of water molecules from a region of higher water potential (dilute
Solution) to a region of lower water potential (concentrated solution), through a
partially permeable membrane, fig (5).

Figure (5): Osmosis at a cell membrane

Osmotic Pressure
It is the pressure needed in the concentrated solution to prevent water
movement from the diluted side. It is determined by the number of particles per unit
volume of fluid.
To express the concentration of a solution in terms of numbers of particles, the
unit used is called the osmole.
Osmole = 1000 milliosmoles

Osmolarity is the total concentration of all solute particles in a solution. It is

the osmolar concentration expressed as osmoles/L of solution.
The normal osmolarity of the extracellular and intracellular fluids is about 300
milliosmoles/L of water. Osmotic imbalances cause cells to swell or shrink.

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 Tonicity is the ability of a solution to change the shape of cells by altering their
internal water volume.
➢ Cells exposed to isotonic solutions (0.9% saline or 5% glucose) retain their
normal shape and exhibit no loss or gain of water.
➢ Cells immersed in hypertonic solutions lose water and shrink.
➢ Cells placed in a hypotonic solution swell rapidly as water rushes into them.

B. Filtration
It is the process that forces water and solutes through a membrane or capillary
wall by the hydrostatic pressure. Like diffusion, filtration is a passive transport
process.

The driving force for filtration is a pressure gradient that pushes solute-
containing fluid (filtrate) from a higher-pressure area to a lower-pressure area.

GOOD LUCK