SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

General Biology 1
Quarter 1 – Module 1:
Transport Mechanisms
Science – Grade 11/12
Alternative Delivery Mode
Quarter 1 – Module 1: Transport Mechanisms
First Edition, 2020

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 Science
Quarter 1 – Module :
Transport Mechanisms
Introductory Message
For the facilitator:

Welcome to the (General Biology 1) Alternative Delivery Mode (ADM) Module

on (Transport Mechanims) !

This module was collaboratively designed, developed and reviewed by educators

both from public and private institutions to assist you, the teacher or facilitator in
helping the learners meet the standards set by the K to 12 Curriculum while
overcoming their personal, social, and economic constraints in schooling.

This learning resource hopes to engage the learners into guided and independent
learning activities at their own pace and time. Furthermore, this also aims to help
learners acquire the needed 21st century skills while taking into consideration
their needs and circumstances.

In addition to the material in the main text, you will also see this box in the body of
the module:

Notes to the Teacher

This contains helpful tips or strategies
that will help you in guiding the learners.

As a facilitator you are expected to orient the learners on how to use this module.
You also need to keep track of the learners' progress while allowing them to
manage their own learning. Furthermore, you are expected to encourage and assist
the learners as they do the tasks included in the module.
For the learner:

Welcome to the General Biology 11/12 Alternative Delivery Mode (ADM) Module on
(Transport Mechanisms) !

The hand is one of the most symbolized part of the human body. It is often used to
depict skill, action and purpose. Through our hands we may learn, create and
accomplish. Hence, the hand in this learning resource signifies that you as a
learner is capable and empowered to successfully achieve the relevant
competencies and skills at your own pace and time. Your academic success lies in
your own hands!

This module was designed to provide you with fun and meaningful opportunities
for guided and independent learning at your own pace and time. You will be
enabled to process the contents of the learning resource while being an active
learner.

This module has the following parts and corresponding icons:

What I Need to Know This will give you an idea of the skills or
competencies you are expected to learn in
the module.

What I Know This part includes an activity that aims to

check what you already know about the
lesson to take. If you get all the answers
correct (100%), you may decide to skip this
module.

What’s In This is a brief drill or review to help you link

the current lesson with the previous one.

What’s New In this portion, the new lesson will be

introduced to you in various ways such as a
story, a song, a poem, a problem opener, an
activity or a situation.

What is It This section provides a brief discussion of

the lesson. This aims to help you discover
and understand new concepts and skills.

What’s More This comprises activities for independent

practice to solidify your understanding and
skills of the topic. You may check the
answers to the exercises using the Answer
Key at the end of the module.

What I Have Learned This includes questions or blank

sentence/paragraph to be filled in to
 process what you learned from the lesson.

What I Can Do This section provides an activity which will

help you transfer your new knowledge or
skill into real life situations or concerns.

Assessment This is a task which aims to evaluate your

level of mastery in achieving the learning
competency.

Additional Activities In this portion, another activity will be given

to you to enrich your knowledge or skill of
the lesson learned. This also tends retention
of learned concepts.

Answer Key This contains answers to all activities in the

module.

At the end of this module you will also find:

References This is a list of all sources used in

developing this module.

The following are some reminders in using this module:

1. Use the module with care. Do not put unnecessary mark/s on any part of
the module. Use a separate sheet of paper in answering the exercises.
2. Don’t forget to answer What I Know before moving on to the other activities
included in the module.
3. Read the instruction carefully before doing each task.
4. Observe honesty and integrity in doing the tasks and checking your
answers.
5. Finish the task at hand before proceeding to the next.
6. Return this module to your teacher/facilitator once you are through with it.
If you encounter any difficulty in answering the tasks in this module, do not
hesitate to consult your teacher or facilitator. Always bear in mind that you are
not alone.

We hope that through this material, you will experience meaningful learning
and gain deep understanding of the relevant competencies. You can do it!
 What I Need to Know

This module was designed and written with you in mind. It is here to help you
master the nature of Biology. The scope of this module permits it to be used in
many different learning situations. The language used recognizes the diverse
vocabulary level of students. The lessons are arranged to follow the standard
sequence of the course. But the order in which you read them can be changed to
correspond with the textbook you are now using.

The module consists one lesson, namely:

 Lesson 1 – Transport Mechanisms

After going through this module, you are expected to:

1. Describe a structure for transport of mechanisms.
2. Explain the transport mechanisms of cells through passive and active
transport.
3. Explain ho different factors affect the rate of diffusion and osmosis
 What I Know

Choose the letter of the correct answer. Write the chosen letter on a separate sheet
of paper or in your notebook.

1. Which of the following statements is a function of a cell membrane?

a. The cell membrane keeps the cell wall in place.
b. The cell membrane stores water, salt, proteins, and carbohydrates.
c. The cell membrane breaks down lipids, carbohydrates, and proteins
from foods.
d. The cell membrane regulates the movement of materials into and out
of the cell.
2. The cell membrane consists primarily of a thin layer of amphipathic
phospholipids “water-loving” and “water-fearing” region. Which term means
“water-loving”?
a. Hydrophilic
b. Hydrophobic
c. Nonpolar
d. Tail
3. What do you call the movement of water across a membrane?
a. Diffusion
b. Endocytosis
c. Exocytosis
d. Osmosis
4. Which of the following processes moves molecules using cellular energy?
a. Diffusion
b. Facilitated diffusion
c. Osmosis
d. Pinocytosis
5. When an animal cell put in a hypotonic environment, what would happen?
a. An animal cell will swell.
b. An animal cell will shrink.
c. An animal cell will secrete enzymes.
d. An animal cell will remain unchanged.
6. Which of the following statements describes selective permeability?
a. The ability of the cell membrane to allow some things to pass through
while preventing other things from passing through.
b. The movement of molecules from an area of concentration to an area
of low concentration.
c. The movement of materials across the cell membrane that requires no
energy from the cell.
d. The movement of materials through (or across) the cell membrane.
 7. When cells take in food particles through active transport, what is it called?
a. Exocytosis
b. Osmosis
c. Phagocytosis
d. Pinocytosis
8. When cells form a vesicle to take in materials, which form of transport is
occurring?
a. Endocytosis
b. Exocytosis
c. Facilitated diffusion
d. Osmosis
9. Which of the following statements shows the difference between active and
passive transport?
a. Active transport uses hormones and passive transport does not.
b. Active transport stores transport proteins and passive transport
releases.
c. Active transport uses ATP as energy and passive transport does not
require energy.
d. Active transport does not need energy and passive transport uses ATP
as energy.
10.An animal cell that is surrounded by fresh water will burst because the
osmotic pressure causes ___________.
a. water to move into the cell.
b. water to move out of the cell.
c. solutes to move into the cell.
d. solutes to move out of the cell.
11.In which solution will water move into and out of the cell at the same rate?
a. Hypertonic
b. Hypotonic
c. Isotonic
d. Plasmolysis
12.Which of the following transport processes moves the molecules against a
concentration gradient?
a. Active transport
b. Diffusion
c. Facilitated diffusion
d. Osmosis
13.During diffusion, when the concentration of molecules on both sides of a
membrane is the same, the molecules will _____________.
a. stop moving across the membrane.
b. move across the membrane to the inside of the cell.
c. move across the membrane to the outside of the cell.
d. continue to move across the membrane in both directions.
14.Due to higher concentration of oxygen in the air than your blood, oxygen goes
from the lungs into the red blood cells by ___________.
a. Active transport
b. Diffusion
c. Facilitated diffusion
d. Osmosis
15.What type of cell transport is illustrated below?

a. Diffusion
b. Endocytosis and Exocytosis
c. Facilitated Diffusion
d. Osmosis
 Lesson

1 Transport Mechanisms

CROSSING PLASMA MEMBRANES

As a flexible fatty
boundary studded with
proteins and carbohydrates,
the cell’s plasma membrane
tends to keep the watery cell
contents in and moisture,
chemicals, and other elements
of the external environment
out. Recall, though, that
nutrients must pass into cells
and waste products must pass
out. To be infective, the
viruses must gain entry to the
cell. The plasma membrane is
selectively permeable, that is, permeable (penetrable) to certain substances
but not all. So what accounts Fig.1. Features of plasma membrane
for the selectively that allows Source: Image retrieved from https://upload.wikimedia.org/
wikipedia/commons/3/3a/Cell_membrane detailed_diagram_4.svg
nutrients, wastes, and viruses
to pass through plasma
membranes while most other substances are barred?

Phospholipids are the foundation of all biological membranes. The

lipid bilayer forms as a result of the interaction between the nonpolar
(hydrophobic or “water-fearing”) phospholipid tails, the polar (hydrophilic or
“water-loving”) phospholipid heads, and the surrounding water. The
nonpolar tails face toward the water. Transmembrane proteins float within
the bilayer and serve as channels through which various molecules can
pass.
 What’s In

ACTIVITY: DIFFUSION
(This activity can be done at home or in school laboratory)
Procedures:
1. Fill one glass cup with hot water. Fill the second glass with cold water.
2. Put 1-2 drops of red food coloring in the hot cup, and 1-2 drops of
blue food coloring in the cold one.
3. Watch and wait for color to disperse entirely. Observe.
4. What would you observe? Which one dispersed quickly? What would
be the reason?
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
5. Get two containers. One is wide and the other one is narrow.
6. Fill both container with the same temperature of water.
7. Put one drop of food coloring in each container and compare their rate
of diffusion.
8. Observe. Which container demonstrated slower rate of diffusion?
Explain.
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
 What’s New

ACTIVITY: OSMOSIS
(This activity can be done at home or in school laboratory)
Procedures:
1. You will be observing potato strips submerged to distilled water with
different concentration of salt.
2. Cut 6 potato strips 4cm in length. Measure 150ml of distilled water and
pour it to the 3 beakers or containers.
3. Weigh 20g and 5g of salt and put it in the first and second beaker. Add 2
potato strips in the 3 beakers.
4. Observe. Record the weight and size of potato strips in grams after 6 hrs.

Initial Actual Averag Initial Actual Average

Length Length e Weight Weight Weight
(cm) (cm) Length (g) (g) (g)
(cm)
Beaker 1 4cm
(distilled water) 4cm
Beaker 2 4cm
(distilled water 4cm
with 5g salt)
Beaker 3 4cm
(distilled water 4cm
with 20g salt)

Guide Questions:
1. Observe what happen to the potato strips in the 3 setups, in terms of
weight and size?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
2. If there any changes happen to the potato strips, what would be the
reason? Explain.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
3. Give your conclusion about the activity.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
 What is It

MOVEMENT OF MATERIALS IN THE CELL

Cells, just like any other life forms, must obtain needed materials
from the outside environment for survival. Furthermore, materials such as
waste products that are no longer needed by the cell must be eliminated
from its interior to the outside environment.

It has been stated that the cell structure responsible for directing the
traffic of materials in and out of the cell is the cell membrane. But how does
the cell membrane perform such function?

There are two major ways of directing materials in and out of the cells,
namely; passive transport and active transport.

Passive Transport

Passive transport involves the movement of materials through the cell

membrane without the expenditure or use of energy. This process does not
require energy because the materials move along the concentration gradient,
that is moving form a region of high concentration to a region of low
concentration. A type of passive transport is simple diffusion. Examples of
materials that pass through the cell membrane by this process are small
molecules like carbon dioxide (CO2) and oxygen (O).

Fig.2. Solute molecules move from high to low

concentration
 A kind of simple diffusion of great importance is osmosis. This is the
diffusion of water across the cell membrane. The direction of the movement
of water depends on the amount of dissolved substances or solute
concentration of the solution surrounding a cell. If the solute concentration
of the solution is greater than that of a cell (hypertonic solution), water will
move out from the cell, causing the cell to shrink. Conversely, if the solute
concentration is less than that of a cell (hypotonic solution), water will
tend to move into the cell, causing it to expand, and even burst. However, if
the solute concentration is equal to that of a cell (isotonic solution), then
there will be no net water movement. Thus, the cell remains intact.

Fig.2. Solute molecules move from low to high solute

concentration

Fig.3. Osmosis demonstration with red blood cells (animal cell)

and plant cell walls places in a hypertonic, isotonic, and hypotonic
solution
 Another form of passive
transport is facilitated
diffusion. In this type of
diffusion, protein molecules in
the cell membrane act as carriers
for certain materials. Molecules
such as glucose and steroid
hormones may be too large to
penetrate the cell membrane,
thus requiring the help of protein
carriers to bring them into Fig.4. Facilitated diffusion
the cell. Source: Image retrieved from https://ib.bioninja.com.au/_
Media/facilitated-diffusion_med.jpeg

Did you know that ………

The principle of osmosis has a wide variety of application in our everyday
life. Our old folks would usually advise us to gargle with salt-water solution to
relieve us from sore throat or to soak our foul-smelling feet with salt-alum (tawas)-
water solution to eradicate the foul odor. The solutions used would have greater
solute concentration than inside the bacterial cells that cause the sore throat or
stinking feet. Thus, water from the bacterial cells are drawn out, plasmolyzing and
killing the bacterial cells.

Active Transport

This involves the expenditure of energy by the cell, since the

movement of materials goes against the concentration gradient, that is from
a low concentration area to a high concentration area. Protein carriers in the
cell membrane are provided with energy by the cell to perform such
function.

Cells can move substances in across the plasma membrane by the

import process of endocytosis or out across the plasma membrane via the
export process of exocytosis. Some cells discharge wastes this way or
secrete proteins, such as hormones or digestive enzymes, into the
bloodstream or into a food-digesting organ like the stomach or small
intestine.

Endocytosis is the process by which a cell membrane invaginates and

forms a pocket around a cluster of molecules. This pocket pinches off and
forms a vesicle that transports the molecules into the cell.
 There are three types of endocytosis, namely; phagocytosis,
pinocytosis, and receptor-mediated endocytosis

 Phagocytosis- known as “cell eating”, the type of endocytosis through

which a cell takes in food particles.
 Pinocytosis- known as “cell-drinking”, the type of endocytosis by
which a cell absorbs small particles outside and brings them inside.
 Receptor-mediated endocytosis- process by which cells absorb
metabolites, hormones, proteins by the inward budding of the plasma
membrane. It is a form of endocytosis in which receptor proteins on
the cell surface use to capture a specific target molecule.

Fig.5. Active Transport Mechanisms: Phagocytosis, Pinocytosis, and Receptor-mediated endocytosis

Source: Image retrieved from https://www.scienceabc.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Endocytosis.jpg

What Factors Affect the Rate of Diffusion?

Particles will always move around in a medium, but the overall rate of
diffusion can be affected by many factors.

1. Concentration. If the difference in concentration is higher, then the

molecules will go down the concentration gradient faster. If there is
not as great of a difference in concentration, the molecules will not
move as quickly, and the rate of diffusion will decrease.
2. Temperature. Particle move due to the kinetic energy associated with
them. as temperature increases, the kinetic energy associated with
each particle also increases. As a result, particles will move faster. If
they can move faster, then they can also diffuse faster.
3. Mass of Particle. Heavier particles will move more slowly and so will
have a slower rate of diffusion. Smaller particles on the other hand
will diffuse faster.
 4. Solvent Properties. Viscosity and density greatly affect diffusion. If the
medium that a given particle must diffuse through is very dense or
viscous, then the particles will have a harder time diffusing through it.
So, the rate of diffusion will be lower. If the medium is less dense or
less viscous, then the particles will be able to move more quickly and
will diffuse faster.

Factors that Affect Osmosis

1. Concentration gradient. The greater the concentration difference, the

faster the rate of osmosis.
2. Temperature. The higher the temperature, the faster the rate of
osmosis.

We will be looking at how diffusion occurs in hot and cold mixtures.

Then, we can explore how the shape of a container affects the movement
of particles. In the second activity, we will observe the size and weight of
the samples put into different solutions.

What’s More

A. Complete the table by checking the correct column for each statement.

Statement Isotonic Hypotonic Hypertonic

Causes cell to shrink
Doesn’t change the shape of the
cell
Causes a cell to swell
Normal cell
Causes a plant cell to be flaccid
Plant cell becomes turgid
Cell tends to shrivel
Causes the cell to be plasmolyzed
B. Label the diagrams of cells using the following diffusion, active transport,
osmosis. The arrows show the direction of transport. You may use the terms
more than once.

1. 2. 3.

4. 5. 6.
 What I Have Learned

1. Cell transport is movement of materials across cell membranes.

2. Cell transport includes passive and active transport.
3. Passive transport does not require energy whereas active transport
requires energy to proceed.
4. Simple diffusion is the movement of a substance due to differences in
concentration without any help from other molecules.
5. Osmosis is the diffusion of water molecules across a membrane. Water
moves in or out of a cell by osmosis until its concentration is the same
on both sides of the plasma membrane. Osmosis has three types of
solution, namely; hypertonic, isotonic, and hypotonic solution
6. Facilitated diffusion is the movement of a substance across a
membrane due to differences in concentration but only occurs with
the help of transport proteins, such as channel proteins or carrier
proteins, in the membrane.
7. Active transport requires energy to proceed. It has three types,
namely; endocytosis, exocytosis, and receptor-mediated endocytosis.
8. Large molecules enter the cell by generalized non-selective process
known as endocytosis.
9. Exocytosis is the reverse process where a membrane-bound vesicle
filled with bulky materials moves to the plasma membrane and fuses
with it. In this process, the vehicle’s contents are released out of the
cell.
10. Receptor-mediated endocytosis is a complicated mechanism
involving the transport of materials through coated vesicles.
 What I Can Do

Imagine a hypothetical cell with a higher concentration of glucose inside

the cell than outside. Answer the following questions about this cell,
assuming all transport across the membrane is passive, not active.

a. Can the glucose simply diffuse across the cell membrane? Why or why
not?
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
b. If there are glucose transport proteins in the cell membrane, which
way would glucose flow- into or out of the cell? Explain your answer.
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
c. If the concentration of glucose was equal inside and outside of the
cell, do you think there would be a net flow of glucose across the cell
membrane in one direction or the other? Explain your answer.
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
 Assessment

Multiple Choice. Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the chosen letter on a
separate sheet of paper.

1. The cell membrane consists primarily of a thin layer of amphipathic

phospholipids “water-loving” and “water-fearing” region. Which term means
“water-loving”?
a. Hydrophilic
b. Hydrophobic
c. Nonpolar
d. Tail
2. Which of the following processes moves molecules using cellular energy?
a. Diffusion
b. Facilitated diffusion
c. Osmosis
d. Pinocytosis
3. Which of the following statements is a function of a cell membrane?
a. The cell membrane keeps the cell wall in place.
b. The cell membrane stores water, salt, proteins, and carbohydrates.
c. The cell membrane breaks down lipids, carbohydrates, and proteins
from foods.
d. The cell membrane regulates the movement of materials into and out
of the cell.
4. When cells take in food particles through active transport, what is it called?
a. Exocytosis
b. Osmosis
c. Phagocytosis
d. Pinocytosis
5. What type of cell transport is illustrated below?

a. Diffusion
b. Endocytosis and Exocytosis
c. Facilitated Diffusion
d. Osmosis
 6. What do you call the movement of water across a membrane?
a. Diffusion
b. Endocytosis
c. Exocytosis
d. Osmosis
7. When an animal cell put in a hypotonic environment, what would happen?
a. An animal cell will swell.
b. An animal cell will shrink.
c. An animal cell will secrete enzymes.
d. An animal cell will remain unchanged.
8. During diffusion, when the concentration of molecules on both sides of a
membrane is the same, the molecules will _____________.
a. stop moving across the membrane.
b. move across the membrane to the inside of the cell.
c. move across the membrane to the outside of the cell.
d. continue to move across the membrane in both directions.
9. Which of the following statements describes selective permeability?
a. The ability of the cell membrane to allow some things to pass through
while preventing other things from passing through.
b. The movement of molecules from an area of concentration to an area
of low concentration.
c. The movement of materials across the cell membrane that requires no
energy from the cell.
d. The movement of materials through (or across) the cell membrane.
10.When cells form a vesicle to take in materials, which form of transport is
occurring?
a. Endocytosis
b. Exocytosis
c. Facilitated diffusion
d. Osmosis
11.Which of the following statements shows the difference between active and
passive transport?
a. Active transport uses hormones and passive transport does not.
b. Active transport stores transport proteins and passive transport
releases.
c. Active transport uses ATP as energy and passive transport does not
require energy.
d. Active transport does not need energy and passive transport uses ATP
as energy.
12.An animal cell that is surrounded by fresh water will burst because the
osmotic pressure causes ___________.
a. water to move into the cell.
b. water to move out of the cell.
c. solutes to move into the cell.
d. solutes to move out of the cell.
13.Which of the following transport processes moves the molecules against a
concentration gradient?
a. Active transport
b. Diffusion
c. Facilitated diffusion
d. Osmosis
14.Due to higher concentration of oxygen in the air than your blood, oxygen goes
from the lungs into the red blood cells by ___________.
a. Active transport
b. Diffusion
c. Facilitated diffusion
d. Osmosis
15.In which solution will water move into and out of the cell at the same rate?
a. Hypertonic
b. Hypotonic
c. Isotonic
d. Plasmolysis
What I know What’s More Assessment
D A. A
A 1. Hypertonic C
D 2. isotonic D
D 3. Hypotonic C
A 4. Isotonic C
A 5. Isotonic D
C 6. Hypotonic A
A 7. Hypertonic D
C 8. Hypertonic A
A B. A
C 1. Active transport C
A 2. Active transport A
D 3. Facilitated diffusion A
B 4. Osmosis B
C 5. Facilitated diffusion C
6. Osmosis
Answer Key
transport mechanisms.
conditions? Give some disorders or diseases resulting functional deficiency of
Reflection: What are the implications of transport mechanisms in medical
Additional Activities
References

Madriaga, E, Oronce, O,.et.al. BiologicalScience of Life. Rex Book Store. pp.

42-43
Postlethwait, J, Hopson, J. The World of Biology. Cengage Learning Asia Pte.
Ltd. Pp. 41-47
Department of Education. Teaching Guide in Senior High School. pp. 49-57

Rea, M.A. et al.2017. General Biology 1. Rex Bookstore. Quezon City.