EXPLAINING TRANSPORT

MECHANISMS IN CELLS
For General Biology 1/ Grade 11
Quarter 1/ Week 7

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 FOREWORD

This self-learning kit will serve as guide for learners in

explaining transport mechanisms in cells. It will be their aid as
they learn new ideas and enrich their existing knowledge
about cellular concepts.

In this learning kit, learners will be explaining the transport

mechanisms of the cell, namely diffusion, osmosis, facilitated
transport, active transport, exocytosis, and endocytosis.

Learners are expected to learn from this kit and use this
with utmost care while learning from the discussions and tasks
which they can apply in their everyday activities.

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 OBJECTIVES:
At the end of the lesson, the learners shall be able to:
K: explain the transport mechanisms of the cell (diffusion,
osmosis, facilitated transport, active transport, exocytosis,
and endocytosis)
S: trace the movement of molecules in the cell
A: recognize the importance of the transport mechanisms in
the cell

LEARNING COMPETENCIES:
Explain the transport mechanisms of the cell (diffusion, osmosis,
facilitated transport, active transport) (STEM_BIO11/12-Ig-h-13)

Differentiate exocytosis and endocytosis (STEM_BIO11/12-Ig-h-14)

WELCOME
BACK

Hi ka-STEM! How are Hello! My name is May.

you? By the way, I am I will also be learning
John. Today I will help with you as we do the
you learn about the tasks and activities for
transport mechanisms this week.
in the cells. So, let’s start.

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I. WHAT HAPPENED

PRE-ACTIVITY:

In a room, spray a perfume and ask your siblings to say YES if

they have smelled the scent of the perfume. Write your answers in
your notebook.

Who among you What do you call the

here smelled the phenomenon wherein
perfume first? Who the scent of the
smelled it the last? perfume is smelled at
different times?

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II. WHAT I NEED TO KNOW
DISCUSSION:
Transport Mechanisms in Cells
There are two types of transport mechanisms: passive and active transport.
Passive transport does not require to expend energy to occur, while active
transport needs to use energy in the cell.

Diffusion. This is the movement of particles from an area of higher

concentration to an area of lower concentration, thus leading to
equalization of the concentration throughout the area of diffusion. It is also
defined as the spreading of the particles of one substance among the
particles of another substance following a concentration gradient (or
“downhill” movement of the substance). This includes the following:

Osmosis. This is the diffusion of water across a semi-permeable membrane.

The two important requirements for osmosis to take place are 1) presence
of a semi-permeable membrane and 2) presence of a concentration
gradient. These two affects the cell’s ability to gain or lose water called as
tonicity (isotonic, hypertonic, and hypotonic).
a. Isotonic – there is the same concentration of water and solutes
thus there is no net movement of water in plasma membrane
b. Hypertonic – there is more solute molecules and lesser water
concentration outside the cell causing the water to move
outside, thus the cell loses water, shrivel, and probably dies.
c. Hypotonic – there is fewer solute molecules and more water
concentration outside the cell causing the water to enter the cell
causing it to gain water, expand, and could even burst.
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 Osmosis in a selectively permeable
membrane.

Facilitated Transport. It is also known as facilitated diffusion. Ions (sodium

and chloride) and molecules like glucose and amino acids cannot pass
readily the cell membrane. They enter the cells with the help of special
proteins called transporters or channel proteins.
Channel proteins or permeases are like corridors which allow
specific molecules to cross the phospholipid bilayer. There are two kinds of
facilitated transport mechanisms:
a. facilitated diffusion – the permease assists the molecule to
diffuse through the membrane that it cannot otherwise
penetrate. The movement is in a “downhill” direction and does
not expend energy. Example: transport of glucose to body
cells
b. active transport – energy is used when molecules move
against the concentration gradient (“uphill” movement).
Example: transport system that maintains the Na and K ion
gradients between cells and the surrounding extracellular fluid.

Source: https://courses.lumenlearning.com/suny-wmopen-biology1/chapter/kinds-of-transport/

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Endocytosis. It is also known as ingestion of material by a cell. There
are three similar types: phagocytosis, pinocytosis, and receptor-
mediated endocytosis.

Phagocytosis or “cell eating” – an area of the cell membrane

extends around the macromolecule and forms a pocket that
engulfs the material. The membrane-enclosed vesicle then
detaches from the cell surface and moves into the cytoplasm
where its contents are digested by intracellular enzymes. This
process is exhibited by amoeba engulfing bacteria and white
blood cells.

Pinocytosis or “cell drinking” – small areas of the surface

membrane invaginate to form tiny vesicles to “gulp” or take in
fluids constantly. It is nonspecific for the substance it transports.
This occurs in cells of the intestinal wall and root cells.

Receptor-mediated endocytosis – is a form of pinocytosis. It is a

specific process for acquiring bulk molecules in the cell. Any
molecule of the plasma membrane specifically binds to
receptor molecules called ligands forming a pit or caveolae.
This pit is coated with a protein called clathrin; hence, they are
described as clathrin-coated pit. Clathrin picks specific
molecules outside the cell, closes, and pinches off forming
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 vesicle to the cytoplasm. This process is exhibited by human
cells to take in cholesterol and steroids.

Exocytosis. It is the opposite of endocytosis. It is a process of

exporting substances from the cell. The membrane of the transport
vesicle fuses with the plasma membrane with the help of specific
proteins which rearrange the phospholipids layers of the two
membranes. The material in the vesicle is released to the
extracellular environment. This process is exhibited by cells in the
pancreas which transport insulin, nerve cells when releasing
neurotransmitters, and plant cells exporting proteins and
carbohydrates.

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TASK 1

Cell Membrane and Transport Coloring

The cell membrane is responsible for moving materials into and out
of the cell. There are two types of transport that can occur across the
membrane: passive transport and active transport. Passive
transport does not require energy and includes the processes of osmosis,
diffusion, and facilitated diffusion. Active transport requires energy in the
transport system.
Color all the phospholipids (c) of the membrane red. Some small
molecules, like oxygen, can move right across the phospholipid bilayer
through a process called diffusion. Diffusion occurs when molecules move
from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration.
Color the oxygen molecules green.
Some molecules are too large to pass through the membrane.
Molecules like glucose, which is a sugar molecule, must use special
proteins embedded in the membrane to move into the cell. These
proteins are called channel proteins, and they provide an opening, like a
door, for large molecules to pass. Glucose will also move from areas of
high concentration to low concentration, but because it needs the help
of a protein, the process is called facilitated diffusion.
Color all the glucose molecules (d) purple. Color the channel
protein (a) yellow.

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 Osmosis is the process where water moves across the membrane
toward the area with the highest solute concentration.
Hypertonic solutions have more solute in them, which cause water to
move toward that area. Cells placed in hypertonic solutions will lose water
and shrink.
Solutions that have fewer solute molecules than the cell are
called hypotonic. In this case, water from outside the cell will move into
the cell. The cell will gain water, expand, and could even burst. To
summarize, the side with more solute is said to be hypertonic, and the side
with less is said to be hypotonic.
Color the water molecules blue, the solute molecules purple, and
the phospholipids red.

Criteria 1 2 3
Effort The student did not The student The student
finish the work in a finished the gave effort
satisfactory manner work, but it beyond the
needs expectations
improvement
Accuracy The instruction is not Few colors All colors
followed and the applied are applied are
colors used are incorrect correct
incorrect

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TASK 2

A doctor injects a patient with what the doctor thinks is an isotonic

saline solution. The patient dies, and an autopsy reveals that many red
blood cells have been destroyed. Do you think the solution the doctor
injected was really isotonic?
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Criteria 3 2 1
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Subject Matter Demonstrates a Demonstrates a Demonstrates a
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conscious and basic limited
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thorough understanding understanding
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understanding of the subject of the subject
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of the subject matter matter
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matter
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Organization Exceptionally Pretty well Ideas and
organized organized. One scenes are
ideas. One idea idea may seem randomly
follows another to be out of arranged and
in a logical place. hard to follow.
order.

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III. WHAT I HAVE LEARNED

EVALUATION:

Match with Me by Threes. Match the tonicity in column A

with the images of the cell and its state in columns B and
C.
A B C

1. Isotonic A. a.

2. Hypertonic B. b.

3. Hypotonic C. c.

Explain It to Me. Explain your answer briefly. Write your

answers in your notebook.

Explain the transport systems: diffusion, osmosis, facilitated transport,

active transport, exocytosis, and endocytosis.

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 DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
SCHOOLS DIVISION OF NEGROS ORIENTAL

SENEN PRISCILLO P. PAULIN, CESO V

Schools Division Superintendent

FAY C. LUAREZ, TM, Ed.D., Ph.D.

OIC - Assistant Schools Division Superintendent
Acting CID Chief

NILITA L. RAGAY, Ed.D.

OIC - Assistant Schools Division Superintendent

ROSELA R. ABIERA
Education Program Supervisor – (LRMS)

ARNOLD R. JUNGCO
PSDS-Division Science Coordinator

MARICEL S. RASID
Librarian II (LRMDS)

ELMAR L. CABRERA
PDO II (LRMDS)

ROSEWIN P. ROCERO
Writer

ANGELICA G. BAJAR
Lay-out Artist
________________________________

ALPHA QA TEAM

LIEZEL A. AGOR
EUFRATES G. ANSOK JR.
JOAN Y. BUBULI
MA. OFELIA I. BUSCATO
LIELIN A. DE LA ZERNA
DEXTER D. PAIRA

BETA QA TEAM

ZENAIDA A. ACADEMIA
DORIN FAYE. D. CADAYDAY
MERCY G. DAGOY
MARIA SALOME B. GOMEZ
RANJEL D. ESTIMAR
ARJIE T. PALUMPA
LIEZEL A. AGOR
THOMAS JOGIE U. TOLEDO

DISCLAIMER

The information, activities and assessments used in this material are designed to provide
accessible learning modality to the teachers and learners of the Division of Negros Oriental. The
contents of this module are carefully researched, chosen, and evaluated to comply with the set
learning competencies. The writers and evaluator were clearly instructed to give credits to
information and illustrations used to substantiate this material. All content is subject to copyright
and may not be reproduced in any form without expressed written consent from the division.

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SYNOPSIS
This self-learning kit tackles about the
transport mechanisms in cells in the
learning competency “Explain transport
mechanisms in cells (diffusion, osmosis,
facilitated transport, active transport,
endocytosis, and exocytosis)”.
Learners are expected to learn and
develop their knowledge about cellular
activities and apply it in real-life situations.
Together, we will learn and enjoy our
journey to the transport mechanisms of
cells.

Cell Membrane and Transport Coloring

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

ROSEWIN P. ROCERO is a Senior High School teacher at Sta.
Catalina Science High School. She is a part-time instructor
at NORSU, Bayawan-Sta. Catalina Campus. She earned
her degree in Bachelor of Science in Biology from NORSU
Main Campus, and she is currently finishing her post-
graduate studies in Master of Arts in Science Teaching.

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