Module 4 – Cell Membrane and Cellular Transport

Cell Membrane and Cellular Transport

Module 4

EXPECTED LEARNING OUTCOMES

4.1. Relate the structure and composition of the cell membrane to its function.
4.2. Explain transport mechanisms in cells (diffusion, osmosis, facilitated
transport, active transport)

THE BIG IDEA

Materials from the environment are not truly inside an organism until they have
passed through the cell membrane to get into the cell. This is a vital mechanism to keep
organisms alive since there is a continuous entrance of necessary materials and expulsion of
waste. How does the fluid mosaic model describe the structure and components of the cell
membrane? How do the molecular components of the membrane provide fluidity? The cell
membrane has a highly selective characteristic which is a fair advantage since it can choose
meticulously the particles that enter and leave the cell. Why and how does passive and active
transport occur across membranes?

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DEEPEN YOUR UNDERSTANDING

Cell Membrane
In the previous activity, you were able to recognize that various particles can move
into and out of the cell. Their movement depends on the difference between the amoount of
concentratin of each particle inside and outside the cell. Aside from the concentration or
amount of particles, another factor would be the property of the cell.
A cell membrane defines the cell, outlines its borders, and determines the nature of
its interaction with its environment. Cells exclude some substances, take in others, and
excrete still others, all in controlled quantities. The plasma membrane must be very flexible
to allow certain cells such as red blood cells and white blood cells to change shape as they
pass through narrow capillaries. In addition, the surface of the plasma membrane carries
markers that allow cells to recognize one another, which is vital for tissue and organ formation
during early development and which later plays a role in the “self” versus “non-self” immune
response. It is also known for its phospholipid bilayer and its ampiphatic nature due to its
hydrophillic head and hydrophobic tail.

Fluid Mosaic Model

Fluid Mosaic Model
The explanation proposed by Singer and Nicolson is called the fluid mosaic model. It
describes the structure of the plasma membrane as a mosaic of components including
phospholipids, cholesterol, proteins, and carbohydrates – that gives the membrane a fluid
character.

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 Module 4 – Cell Membrane and Cellular Transport

Component Location
Phospholipids Main fabric of the membrane
Cholesterol Attached between phospholipids and between the phospholipid
bilayer
Proteins Embedded on the membrane
Carbohydrates Generally attached to proteins on the outside layer (with lipids –
glycolipids; with proteins - glycoproteins)

At the cellular level, the transport mechanism is

very important to accommodate the needs of the cell in Concentration
gradient is a physical
the form of ions, nutrients, and other molecules. The cell
space where there is
carries this out and with the expenditure of energy (active a range of
transport) or without the use of energy (passive concentrations of a
transport). Energy is carried in the cell through the help of single substance.
ATP (adenosine triphosphate) and is produced through
phosphorylation, cellular respiration and fermentation.

TYPES OF CELLULAR TRANSPORT

PASSIVE TRANSPORT ACTIVE TRANSPORT
1. energy independent (uses no energy) 1. substance moves against the
2. allows small molecules to enter and exit the concentration gradient
cell 2. energy dependent mechanism of
3. the movement of particles based on the transport
concentration gradient 3. uses energy in the form of ATP in
4. substances move along the concentration the cell and active transport pumps
gradient (from an area of high concentration 4. Examples:
to an area of low concentration) a. Bulk or vesicular transport
5. Examples: b. endocytosis
a. simple diffusion c. exocytosis
b. facilitated diffusion
c. osmosis
d. plasmolysis

PASSIVE TRANSPORT
Simple Diffusion is the movement of particles
from an area of high concentration to an area
of low concentration without the help of
transport proteins.
Facilitated Diffusion is the movement of
particles from an area of high concentration to
an area of low concentration with the help
Channel Protein vs. Carrier Protein
of transmembrane proteins such as
channel proteins and carrier proteins.

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 Module 4 – Cell Membrane and Cellular Transport

Channel Proteins have hydrophilic domains exposed to the intracellular and

extracellular fluids (ex.: Aquaporins are channel proteins that allow water to pass
through the membrane at a very high rate.)
Carrier Proteins triggers a change of its own shape, moving the bound molecule from
the outside of the cell to its interior. They are typically specific for a single substance.
Osmosis is the movement of water molecules across a semi permeable membrane.

Isotonic solution if the solute concentration is equal inside and outside of the cell. In
an isotonic environment, the relative concentrations of solute and water are equal
on both sides of the membrane thus there will be no movement. In an isotonic
environment, the relative concentrations of solute and water are equal on both sides
of the membrane thus there will be no movement.
Hypotonic solution if there is a lower concentration of solute outside than inside the
cell. (swelling or cell bursting). When a cell is placed in a hypotonic environment,
water will enter the cell, and the cell will swell. When a cell is placed in a hypotonic
environment, water will enter the cell, and the cell will swell.

Hypertonic solution if there is a higher concentration of solutes outside the cell.

(crenation or shrinkage of a cell). If a cell is placed in a hypertonic solution, water will
leave the cell, and the cell will shrink. In this type of solution, water will leave the
cell, and the cell will shrink.

Summary of the Effects of Solute Concentration on Cells

Plasmolysis is the movement of water molecules in plant cells. Since plant cells have
cell walls, instead of a complete shrinkage, the plasma membrane will just detach
from the cell wall. Unlike in animal cell that requires an isotonic solution, a plant cell
requires a hypotonic solution to maintain the rigidity of its structure.
ACTIVE TRANSPORT
It is the way by which a substance enters or goes outside the cell against the
concentration gradient, therefore utilizing energy. Another requirement is a protein
transversely located in the plasma membrane called active transport pumps. An example of
this type of transport is sodium-potassium pump.

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BULK/VESICULAR TRANSPORT
Active and passive transport most of the materials. However, both cases move the
substance in the form of dissolved particles (ions, elements, or molecules) via the cell
membrane. There are times that the cell requires huge quantity of particles (bulk) into and
out of the cell. Bulk/vesicular transport requires ATP for the mechanism to take place. There
are two types of bulk transport – endocytosis and exocytosis.

• Endocytosis moves a large number of substances into the cell from the
extracellular fluid. There are two forms of endocytosis, the pinocytosis (cell
drinking) responsible for bulk liquid transport and phagocytosis (cell eating)
which pertains to solid bulk transport in the cell. Another form of pinocytosis
and phagocytosis is the receptor-mediated endocytosis wherein there are
receptors that have specific affinity to various molecules.

Endocytosis via an Electron Microscope

• Exocytosis is the transport mechanism that moves bulk quantity of materials

(mostly waste) out of the cell.

Process of Exocytosis

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LEARNING RESOURCES

Books

Rea, M.A., et. al., (2018) General Biology 1, First Ed. Sta. Mesa Heights, Quezon City. Rex Book
Store, Inc.

Pascual, C., Villanoy, et. al., (2017). General Biology 1 for senior high school. Intramuros,
Manila. Mindshapers Co., Inc.

Ramos, A.C.M. (2017). Exploring Life through Sciences: General Biology 1. Quezon Ave.,
Quezon City. Phoenix Publishing House Inc.

Dela Pena, R., et. al., (2016). General Biology. Pasay City, Philippines. JFS Publishing Services.

Hoefnagels, M. (2016). General Biology (Books 1 & 2). United States. McGrawHill Education.

Images

Cell Membrane (Image). (2020). Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/list/fast-facts-

about-the-cell-membrane

Channel Protein vs. Channel Protein (Image). (2020). BioNinja.

https://ib.bioninja.com.au/standard-level/topic-1-cell-biology/14-membrane-transport/facilitated-
diffusion.html

Summary of the Effects of solute concentration on Cells (Image). (2020) BioNinja.

https://ib.bioninja.com.au/standard-level/topic-1-cell-biology/14-membrane-
transport/osmolarity.html

Process of Exocytosis (Image). (2020). BioNinja. https://ib.bioninja.com.au/standard-

level/topic-1-cell-biology/14-membrane-transport/bulk-transport.html

Fluid Mosaic Model (2015). Molecular Expressions: Cell Biology and Microscopy Structureand
Function of Cells and Viruses.
https://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/cells/plasmamembrane/plasmamembrane.html

ABOUT MODULE

Module Creator/Curator: Ms. Larisa Mae C. Agtay

Template and Layout Designer: Mr. Florence Somoria

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