UNIVERSITY OF MAKATI

HIGHER SCHOOL NG UMAK

Mathematics, Science & Research Department

GENERAL BIOLOGY 1
Module 12: Cell Transport

At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:

1. describe the structural component of the cell membrane;
LEARNING 2. relate the structure of the cell membrane to its function; and
OBJECTIVES 3. explain transport mechanisms in cells such as diffusion, osmosis,
facilitated transport, and active transport (endocytosis and
exocytosis).

. DISCUSSION

The Cell Membrane

The cells maintain a sound internal environment to carry out efficiently their duties in an organism.
However, there are situations where they are not capable of performing their tasks all by themselves;
they need materials from outside an organism’s body. These materials must be transported through
the intricate mechanism of the cell membrane.
The cell membrane serves to protect the cell and its contents from varied molecules that will
attempt to enter it. Their successful passage will depend on their nature and the different types of
transport mechanisms that will possibly accommodate them.

P a g e |1
GENERAL BIOLOGY 1 | UMAK- HSU- MATHEMATICS, SCIENCE & RESEARCH DEPARTMENT
The Cell Membrane in Cell Transport
On occasions when one enters an establishment such as a mall or a school, one passes through
the security check. Just like the security personnel in a school, the cell membrane prevents the access
of harmful materials to the cell. The security allows the entry of the entities that have legitimate purpose
and function in the mall; similarly, the cell membrane accommodates only those substances that are
important for the cell’s optimum operation.
composed
The cell contains an external membrane, also of glycerol
known as the plasma membrane, that controls the
entry of substances and regulates how much
volume of each is allowed. The plasma membrane
is a thin barrier that separates the cellular content
from its outside environment. It allows the entry of
water and nutrients and ejects waste and other
products out of the cell. It controls the traffic in and
out of the cell. Its selective permeability is like a consist of phosphate
kitchen strainer: it allows some substances to cross
Figure 1. The selective permeability of the cell membrane is brought by
easily than others. its phospholipid bilayer which has both hydrophobic and hydrophilic
qualities.

The plasma membrane is made up of a double layer of fats and proteins, resembling that of a
sandwich. Typically, the fat molecules found in the plasma membrane are lipids. Lipids consist of a
glycerol and three fatty acids. When one of these three fatty acids is replaced by phosphate from the
protein, a phospholipid is formed; hence, the cell membrane is composed of a phospholipid bilayer.
Each phospholipid is shown as a round phosphate head and two squiggly fatty acid tails. The two
layers of phospholipids are arranged in such a way that the water-loving or hydrophilic heads consisting
of phosphate are distant from each other. This results in the water’s attraction to the cell membrane in
both the inside and outside regions of the cell. The hydrophobic or water-repelling tails are composed
of glycerol that is facing each other.
Imagine a sandwich: the bread is the phosphate and its filling is the lipid. When a group of
phospholipid molecules organizes together, it forms an outward surface that allows water-soluble
substances to enter but these are screened in the middle. The hydrophobic middle region is an essential
barrier to any substance that passes through it. This mechanism of the plasma membrane creates a
different environment inside and outside of the cell. Spanning across the phospholipid bilayer are
molecules of proteins, carbohydrates, and cholesterol. Often, proteins have varied major roles, such as
the transmission of signals across the cell, provision for the internal framework of the cell, and transport
of certain molecules by creating channels as passageways.
Transport Mechanisms
The transport of particles across the cell membrane can be a simple or complicated process. The
nature of the particles or solutes determines the kind of transport that will be carried out. The selective
permeability of the cell membrane ensures that the internal and external environments of the cell are
maintained to allow the optimum carrying out of the cell activities. The cell membrane is not
impermeable – it is only selective of the particles that it allows; hence, there are different types of cell
transport. They are passive, active, and bulk transport (endocytosis and exocytosis).
P a g e |2
GENERAL BIOLOGY 1 | UMAK- HSU- MATHEMATICS, SCIENCE & RESEARCH DEPARTMENT
A. Passive Transport
What happens when water is put in a cloth bag? The water leaks through the cloth. This is an
example of passive transport. Passive transport is the passage of the molecules across the cell
membrane that does not require energy. This occurs when particles from a highly concentrated field
are exposed to an area with low concentration. The gradual difference in the solute concentration
between the two areas is called the concentration gradient.
There are three types of passive transport: simple diffusion, osmosis, and facilitated diffusion.
1. Simple diffusion – simple diffusion is the random movement of the
particles or solutes in an area. Particles from the highly concentrated area
naturally move to an area where there are fewer particles. Simple
diffusion does not require energy because it has natural kinetic energy to
move from area to area.
2. Osmosis – is the passage of molecules across a semi-permeable
membrane, from a region of greater concentration to lower concentration.
Water molecules move much more rapidly through a cell membrane than
dissolved ions or small polar organic solutes. The direction of osmosis
depends on the concentration of water and solutes dissolved in a
Figure 2. Simple diffusion in
solution. a cell membrane
A solution contains both a solute – usually a solid, and a solvent –
usually a liquid and mostly water molecules. There are three kinds of solution depending on the
solute to solvent ratio.
In a hypotonic solution, the concentration of the solute molecules in the environment
outside the cell is lower than the environment inside the cell. The water will move into the cell
causing the cell to swell.
In a hypertonic solution, the concentration of the solute molecules in the environment
outside the cell is higher compared to the inside of the cell. The water will move out of the cell
causing it to shrink or plasmolyze.
In an isotonic solution, the concentrations of the solute molecules outside and inside
the cells are equal. No net movement of water into and out of the cell.

Figure 3. Effects of osmosis in a red blood cell.

Figure 4. Comparison on the effects of
osmosis in a red blood cell and plant cell.
3. Facilitated transport – some particles cannot simply get in; hence, they need specific methods
to be able to pass through the plasma membrane. Facilitated transport makes use of special
proteins called integral membrane proteins.
P a g e |3
GENERAL BIOLOGY 1 | UMAK- HSU- MATHEMATICS, SCIENCE & RESEARCH DEPARTMENT
 There are two kinds of integral membrane
proteins. The first type is a carrier protein that
attaches to a molecule to facilitate its transport
across the cell membrane. The second type is
the channel protein that makes a pathway to
transfer molecules and ions across the cell
membrane. These types of facilitated diffusion
are examples of passive transport, as they do
not involve the use of energy.

B. Active Transport
The movement of particles from an area of low Figure 5. Transport mechanisms facilitated by carrier proteins
(right) and channel proteins (left)
concentration to an area of high concentration is
like trying to climb a downward moving escalator filled with people. It requires energy. Active transport
is the movement of particles opposite to the concentration gradient. While moving, the particles are
blocked by several obstacles. Passing through the selectively permeable cell membrane is so
challenging, that it requires ATP (adenosine triphosphate). Three types of membrane proteins can push
the particles against the concentration gradient.
1. Uniport – transports a molecule in one direction.
2. Symport – transports two different molecules in the same direction.
3. Antiport – transports different molecules in opposite directions.

Intracellular transport is
commonly observed in a plant cell; it
is called cytoplasmic streaming or
cyclosis. This refers to the circular
movement of the cytoplasm within
the cell.

Cytoplasmic streaming is the

coordinated movement of particles
and organelles through the
cytoplasm in a helical path down one
side of
Figure
the 6. Active
cell and up transport occurs side.
the other with the help of the uniport, symport, and antiport
proteins.

Figure 7. Cyclosis in hydrilla under the microscope

P a g e |4
GENERAL BIOLOGY 1 | UMAK- HSU- MATHEMATICS, SCIENCE & RESEARCH DEPARTMENT
C. Bulk Transport
The cell and its environment undergo several processes that both create various products and by-
products. Some of the said products tend to disrupt the normal mechanism in the cell and its
environment and as such, are unwelcome in the structure. Examples of unwelcomed entities in the
human body are pathogens, disease-causing microorganisms like roaming
bacteria, and invading viruses.
The body system has a natural way of clearing the environment of
undesirable particles through macrophages. Like patrolling police, they are
immune cells in the body that is in constant search of harmful elements to
devour. As implied by the prefixes – macro meaning “big” and phago -
meaning “to eat” – macrophages engulf target materials or any cellular
debris in a manner like that of an amoeba.
Macrophages exhibit a way of how large particles enter the cell – a Figure 8. Macrophage
significant example of endocytosis or the process of substance entry to the cell. Endocytosis is an
example of bulk transport. This type of transport happens because some substances are too big to be
transported by protein carriers and to be accommodated by channels.

There are two kinds of endocytosis:

phagocytosis and pinocytosis. Phagocytosis
is the engulfing of large molecules in the cell.
This process is also known as “cell eating”.
Pinocytosis, also referred to as “cell drinking”
and is the entrance of small liquid particles or
minute molecules into the cell.
As important as the entrance of
materials into the cell, bulk transport is also
necessary for waste and other secretions to
be released.
Exocytosis is another type of bulk Figure 9. Comparison of phagocytosis and pinocytosis
transport wherein materials are released out of the cell. Exiting particles are packed into vesicles by
the Golgi apparatus. Then, these vesicles are moved close to the border of the cell until they integrate
with the plasma membrane and eventually get discharged out of the cell.

Figure 10. Comparison of exocytosis (left) and endocytosis (right)

P a g e |5
GENERAL BIOLOGY 1 | UMAK- HSU- MATHEMATICS, SCIENCE & RESEARCH DEPARTMENT
 ACTIVITY
Modified multiple choice: Write the letter of the correct answer on the blank before each number.
Then, briefly explain your answer on the space provided below the choices.
______1.
B. The cell membrane is a major part of the cell. Which of the following is NOT true about it?
a. It is present in all types of cells.
b. It has a double layer of fats and proteins.
c. It accommodates all the materials that pass through it.
d. It serves as a boundary between the internal and external cell environments.
________________________________________________________________________
It is only tthe plasma membrane that is made out of a double layer of fats and
________________________________________________________________________
proteins.
________________________________________________________________________
D.
______2. The permeability of the cell membrane depends on which of the following compositions?
a. glucose and amino acids c. glycerol and carbohydrate
b. phosphate and carbohydrate d. phosphate and lipid
________________________________________________________________________
When phospholipid molecules link together, they form an outside surface that lets water-soluble substances enter but screens them out
in________________________________________________________________________
the center. Any material that enters through it needs to be blocked by the hydrophobic intermediate region. A distinct environment
exists inside and outside of the cell as a result of the plasma membrane process.
________________________________________________________________________
D.
______3. Which of the following does NOT apply to diffusion?
a. Diffusion is a passive process.
b. Diffusion does not necessarily require a membrane.
c. Molecules move from higher to lower concentration.
d. Diffusion continues even after the molecules have been distributed equally.
________________________________________________________________________
Diffusion leads to an equilibrium, or equal concentration, of molecules on both sides of the membrane because it
transports materials from a region of higher concentration to a region of lower concentration (this is referred to as
________________________________________________________________________
moving solutes "down the concentration gradient" Thus, stopping when once it is equally distributed.
________________________________________________________________________
B.
______4. Which of the following is described as the net movement of any type of molecule from a
region of higher concentration to a region of lower concentration?
a. active transport b. diffusion c. facilitated transport d. osmosis
As diffusion has its own kinetic energy and can move from one place to another without the
________________________________________________________________________
need for energy. Naturally, particles from the area of high concentration disperse to an area of
________________________________________________________________________
low concentration.
________________________________________________________________________
B.
______5. What kind of protein combines with a molecule and helps to move it across the membrane?
a. Antiport b. carrier c. channel d. uniport
_______________________________________________________________________
The first kind is a carrier protein, which binds to molecules to make it easier for them to pass cell
membranes.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
B.
______6. To which of the following categories does pinocytosis belong?
a. active transport b. endocytosis c. exocytosis d. simple diffusion
________________________________________________________________________
There are two types that are found in the endocytosis and one of them is Pinocytosis.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

P a g e |6
GENERAL BIOLOGY 1 | UMAK- HSU- MATHEMATICS, SCIENCE & RESEARCH DEPARTMENT
 D.
______7. Crystals of dye, when placed in a beaker of water, eventually spread evenly throughout the
water. What does this occurrence illustrate?
a. facilitated diffusion b. osmosis c. phagocytosis d. simple diffusion
________________________________________________________________________
Because simple diffusion is defined as the spreading of solutes in a particular area, just like
what the crystal dye is illustrating.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
D.
______8. Which of the following are involved when water passes into and out of the cell?
a. antiport proteins c. carrier proteins
b. phospholipid bilayer d. channel proteins
This is because it is a protein channel that creates a passageway for chemicals and ions to cross cell
________________________________________________________________________
membranes.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
A.
______9. Which type of solution will have the same solute concentration on both sides of the cell
membrane?
a. isotonic b. hypertonic c. hypotonic d. supertonic
________________________________________________________________________
The concentrations of the solute molecules outside and inside the cells are equal in an isotonic
solution.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
A.
_____10. Which type of protein combines with a substance and helps to move it across the membrane?
a. carrier b. channel c. symport d. uniport
Same answer/explanation for my number 5.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

SELF - ASSESSMENT
Create a comic strip about the topic of cell transport. SAMPLE COMIC STRIP

P a g e |7
GENERAL BIOLOGY 1 | UMAK- HSU- MATHEMATICS, SCIENCE & RESEARCH DEPARTMENT
 ASSIGNMENT
Differentiate the following.

1. diffusion and osmosis

____________________________________________________________________________
Particles travel from a region of higher concentration to one of lower concentration in
____________________________________________________________________________
both diffusion and osmosis. Osmosis always happens across a semipermeable
membrane, whereas diffusion can happen in any mixture, including one that contains
____________________________________________________________________________
one.
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________

2. solute and solvent

The solute is the component that has to dissolve, and the solvent is the component
____________________________________________________________________________
that has to dissolve it. With a wide variety of solutes and solvents, solutions can be
____________________________________________________________________________
created.
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________

3. isotonic, hypotonic, and hypertonic solutions

Blood and hypotonic have different fluid, sugar, and salt concentrations. In comparison to
____________________________________________________________________________
blood, hypertonic has a higher percentage of fluid, carbohydrates, and salt.
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________

REFERENCES
Introduction to Biology (by Kathryn Idrisha K. Aldea; Angelito N. Vargas; Baltazar E. Sayson)
Conceptual Science and Beyond: General Biology 1 (by Maria Cielo Herminia S. Pineda; Maria
Corazon C. Yap

PREPARED BY: ALCAZAR, JOAN MARIE

FRAGA, MARY ANN H.
P a g e |8
GENERAL BIOLOGY 1 | UMAK- HSU- MATHEMATICS, SCIENCE & RESEARCH DEPARTMENT