LABORATORY | PHYSIOLOGY | PT 100

BS Physical Therapy

SECTION I: CELL PHYSIOLOGY

OSMOSIS
SIMPLE DIFFUSION

▪ Molecular kinetic movement of molecules/ions
occurs through a membrane opening or
intermolecular spaces without the need of
binding with carrier proteins in the membrane.
✓ Ex. Diffusion of lipid soluble substances
through the lipid bilayer
▪ Net diffusion of water from a region of high to
low concentration
✓ Ex. NaCl solution is placed on one side of the
membrane and water on the other side
ENDOCYTOSYS

FACILITATED DIFFUSION ▪ Ingestion by the cell

▪ Two subtypes:
▪ Requires the interaction of a carrier protein with ➢ Pinocytosis
the molecules or ions. ► Ingestion of small particles containing

▪ May also be voltage-gated ECF

▪ a.k.a. carrier-mediated diffusion ➢ Phagocytosis
► Ingestion of large particles such as
✓ Ex. Diffusion of glucose, Na ions and Ca ions
across plasma membrane bacteria and cells
✓ Ex. Leukocytes, neutrophils, monocytes
ACTIVE TRANSPORT
EXOCYTOSYS
▪ The actual carrying of a substance through the
membrane by a protein that penetrates all the ▪ Excretion of undigestible substances
way through the membrane. ✓ Ex. Secretion of enzymes from pancreatic
▪ Uses ENERGY cells and hormones from endocrine glands
✓ Ex. Na+ - K pump
FACTORS AFFECTING RATE OF MOVEMENT
PASSIVE TRANSPORT ACROSS THE CELL

▪ Movement of biochemicals and other atomic or ▪ Thickness of the membrane

molecular substances across membrane ▪ Lipid solubility
▪ a.k.a. Passive diffusion ▪ Number of protein channels
▪ Takes 4 forms: • Rate of diffusion is related to # of channels

➢ Simple diffusion ▪ Temperature

➢ Facilitated diffusion ▪ Molecular weight of diffusing substances
➢ Filtration
➢ Osmosis CARRIER MEDIATED TRANSPORT

▪ Needs specific carrier protein to facilitate the

diffusion

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SECTION I - CELL PHYSIOLOGY
PERMEABILITY COEFFICIENT

▪ Designated by letter P which identifies the NET

RATE OF DIFFUSION of the substances through
each unit area of the membrane for a unit
concentration difference between the two sides
of the membrane
• Given there are no electrical or pressure
difference

SEMI-PERMEABLE MEMBRANE

▪ a.k.a. partially or selectively or differentially

permeable membrane
▪ A membrane that allows certain molecules or
ions to pass through it by diffusion and
occasionally specialized facilitated diffusion

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SECTION I - CELL PHYSIOLOGY