MOVEMENT IN AND OUT OF CELLS.

EXAMPLES OF SUBSTANCES THAT LEAVE OR ENTER CELL.

SUBSTANCES THAT ENTER THE
CELL.
 Oxygen into respiring cells.
 Carbon dioxide into the palisade
cell.
 Glucose into the blood and
respiring cells.
 Nitrates into the root hair cell.
SUBSTANCES THAT LEAVE THE
CELL.
 Carbon dioxide from the respiring
cell into the blood and from the
blood into the respiring cells.
 Urea from the liver cell into the
blood.

PROCESSES BY WHICH SUBSTANCE LEAVE OR ENTER THE CELL.

1.Diffusion. 2.Active transport. 3.Phagocytosis. 4.Exocytosis.

1. DIFFUSION.
Key definition
Diffusion is the net movement of particles from a region of their higher
concentration to a region of their lower concentration down a concentration
gradient, as a result of their random movement.

 Diffusion is a passive process - it does not require energy (ATP) from

respiration.

NB: Energy for diffusion comes from the kinetic energy of random
movement of molecules and ions.

1
Diagram below shows random movement of particles.

 The random movement carry molecules from a region of higher

concentration to a region of lower concentration down the
concentration gradient.

2
 As a result of random ,movement molecules spread themselves out
evenly to fill all the available space.
Diffusion in gases.

 The darker molecules of a coloured gas spread out through the

container.

3
 Diffusion occurs until the particles or molecules are evenly distributed
throughout the space i.e until equilibrium is reached
NB: Diffusion also takes place in liquids.
 Molecules move into and out of cells by diffusion through the
cell membrane.
Importance of diffusion of gases and solutes.
 For respiration- oxygen and carbon dioxide diffuse in and out
respectively.
 For photosynthesis.-carbon dioxide into the leaf cells.
 Mineral ion such nitrates and magnesium diffuse into the plant
through the root hair cells.
 In the small intestines , vitamins such as C , glucose and amino acids
are absorbed in the blood.
 In the kidney , some molecules in the renal capsule , such as urea and
salts , pass back into the blood stream by diffusion.
 Dialysis machines use diffusion to remove small solutes from the
blood..

4
 SAMPLE QUESTION.

J16 P31 Q6 (a) Complete Table 6.1 about diffusion and active transport.
Place a tick (✓) in each box which is correct.

(b) Complete Table 6.2 by naming the organ where each of these examples of
diffusion takes
place.

Factors that affect the rate of diffusion

1.Concentration gradient.
 The greater the difference in concentration between two regions, the
greater the amount of molecules that diffuses in per given time.
 Air in the alveoli has higher concentration of oxygen than the blood.
 In the alveoli, when oxygen molecules diffuse into the blood, it is
quickly absorbed by the red blood where it combines with hemoglobin
oxyhaemoglobin which takes oxygen out of the blood plasma and
cytoplasm.

5
 Removal of oxygen by hemoglobin from the blood plasma helps to
maintain the oxygen diffusion gradient.

2.Distance over which diffusion occurs.

 The shorter the distance, the greater the rate of diffusion.
 Generally cell membranes are very thin (7nanometers) to reduce
diffusion distance.
 Internal surfaces inside organisms where diffusion takes place are
often made up of one layer of thin, flat cells called squamous or
pavement cells to reduce diffusion distance.
For example, the wall of the alveolus is one cell thick.

6
 Alveolus
wall

3.Surface area.
 The greater the surface area , the greater the rate of diffusion.
 Cells which are involved in rapid absorption of molecules such as
those in the kidney or small intestines have tiny projections called
microvilli which increase the surface area.

Microvilli are foldings

on the cell membrane
,they provide large
surface area

7
  Root hair cells have long extensions to provide a large surface area
for the absorption of water and mineral ions from the soil.
 Alveoli wall is
 folded to increase surface area for gas exchange .
 I s close to the blood vessels to reduce diffusion distance.

blood
capillary

alveolus wall
folded

4. Temperature.
 An increase in temperature cause an increase in the kinetic energy of
the molecules.
 Molecules move faster, so the process of diffusion speeds up.
SAMPLE QUESTION.

J15 P 32 Q 4(b) Gas exchange occurs at the alveoli.

(i) Describe how oxygen molecules move from the alveoli into the blood. [3]
Marking Points.

 It moves by diffusion ;
 Moves across partially permeable membranes ;
 From a region of high concentration to low concentration (of O2)
/ down concentration gradient ;

8
  Oxygen dissolves in the moist lining and diffuses faster when

dissolved.

INVESTIGATING THE FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE DIFFUSION.

1.Distance.

J12P21Q3 (a) Define diffusion. [2]

(b) Fig. 3.1 shows an apparatus that was used to investigate the effect of
concentration of a chemical on the rate of diffusion.

Fig. 3.1

As ethanoic acid diffused along the tube, the pieces of blue litmus paper
turned red.
Two different samples of ethanoic acid, A and B, were used in this
apparatus. The two samples had different concentrations. The results are
shown in Fig. 3.2.

9
 Fig. 3.2

10
Table 3.1 shows the results for a third sample, C, of ethanoic acid.

(i) Complete Fig. 3.2 by plotting the results shown in Table 3.1.
Plot the results shown in Table 3.1 on the grid, Fig. 3.2, on page 6. [3]
(ii) State which sample of ethanoic acid, A, B or C, took the longest time
to travel 8 cm along the tube. [1]
(iii) State and explain which sample of ethanoic acid was the most
concentrated. [2]

11
2.Surface area.

As a cell increases in size, its surface area to volume ratio decreases.

Copy and complete the table below to work out the surface are to volume ratios of
the cells above.

Cube A Cube B Cube C Cube D

Total surface
area/cm2
Volume of
cube./cm3
Surface area
to Volume
ratio

12
 OSMOSIS.
Key definition

Osmosis is the net movement of water molecules a region of higher water

potential (dilute solution) to a region of lower water (concentrated solution),
through a partially permeable membrane.

NB: Osmosis should be considered in terms of water potential.

FEATURES OF OSMOSIS.

 It is also a passive process.

 It is a special case of diffusion.
 Only water molecules diffuse through the partially permeable membrane.
 Thus osmosis can only occur through partially permeable membrane ,
 Osmosis does not occur on boiled or dead tissue is boiled or is dead, the
membrane loses its partial permeability so osmosis does not occur.

13
The Diffusion Theory of osmosis.

 Addition of a molecule that dissolves in water (solute) reduces the number

of free water molecules as some are attracted to the solute, so potential to

move is reduced.

 Water potential is a measure of the kinetic energy of water molecules.

 Concentrated solution has lower water potential than the dilute solution.

 The left side of the partially permeable membrane has more water molecules

so has higher water potential than the right side.

 Water molecules then move from the region of higher potential(left side) to

a region with lower water potential(right side) through the partially

permeable membrane.

14
 Water molecules move from a dilute solution to a
concentrated solution until an equilibrium.
 When equilibrium is reached ,
 the water potentials of the two sides of the
partially permeable membrane are equal.
 there will be no net movement of water
molecules between the two sides of the partially
permeable membrane

15
ILLUSTRATION OF WATER POTENTIAL GRADIENT

16
Simple demonstrations of osmosis

Experiment A

In experiment A, you fill the bag with the sugar solution and place it in a
beaker of pure water.

Observation: You find the bag swells up and the water moves up the tube
(picture A1 to A2).

Conclusion: Water has moved from the surrounding pure water into the bag
of sugar solution through the partially permeable membrane.

Explanation:

The solution in the bag is more concentrated with solute than the water
surrounding the membrane.

The water potential is higher in the water around the bag than in the bag,
therefore the water must diffuse into the bag through the partially permeable
membrane.

Experiment B

In experiment B, you fill the bag with pure water and place it in the beaker of
sugar solution.

Observation: The bag shrinks and the water moves down the tube (B1 to
B2).

Conclusion: Pure water has moved out of the bag through the partially
permeable membrane into the surrounding sugar solution.

Explanation:

The solution in the beaker has lower water potential than solution in the bag.

The water diffusion gradient is from around the bag into the bag as the water
tries to dilute the solution.

Remember: In osmosis, only the water moves through the partially

permeable membrane, NOT the sugar molecules!
17
18
EXAMPLE OF OSMOSIS IN PLANT TISSUE.

Explanation

Diagram (a) to (c): The potato cylinder had lower water potential than the
solution in the beaker.

Water moved into the potato cylinder by osmosis through partially permeable
membranes.

Therefore when osmosis takes place with pure water, or very dilute solutions
of sugar, the potato cells absorb water by osmosis giving a percentage mass
increase.

Diagram (d) to (e): At higher external sugar concentrations (above 0.3

mol/dm3 in this case), the osmotic effect reverses direction and water will
diffuse through the partially permeable membranes out of the potato cells to
try and dilute the external more concentrated sugar solution.

The potato cylinders lose mass.

19
TYPICAL EXAM DISCUSION QUESTIONS.

Q1 The diagram shows apparatus which can be used to demonstrate osmosis.

(a) After one hour, what would happen to the liquid levels in the glass tubes? [1]
(b) Explain your answer in (a) [2]

Q2. A student investigated osmosis in potatoes. He set up the apparatus shown.

At the beginning the potato cylinders were exactly balanced. He immersed the
cylinders into the liquids for 4 hours, after which the cylinders were lifted out of the
liquids. Cylinder P was now heavier than cylinder Q

Explain why P was heavier than Q. [2]

20
Q3. The diagram shows an experiment using a potato.

(a) Which shows the result of the experiment after 24 hours? [1]

(b) Explain your results in part (a). [2]

SAMPLE QUESTION.

J15 P23 Q5 (a) Complete Table 5.1 to show which statements are true for diffusion
and which are true for osmosis. Use a tick (✓) if it is true or a cross (✗) if it is false.
Complete all eight boxes.

21
HIGH DEMAND TYPICAL EXAM QUESTION
A student set up the following apparatus.

A B

(a) Explain why the level of the liquid in the glass tube in apparatus A rises after 3

hours. [4]

(b) (i) What would happen to the level of liquid in apparatus B after 3 hours? [1]

(ii) Explain why this would happen. [3]

(c) What property of the visking tubing causes the changes in the levels of liquid?

[1]

22
 EFFECTS OF OSMOSIS ON PLANT CELL.
1. When immersed (placed ) in concentrated solution.

23
 Concentrated solution has lower water potential.

 When a plant cell is placed in a concentrated solution, water

molecules move out of the cell into the solution by osmosis.

 As water moves out, the vacuole starts to shrink, the cell loses

its firmness and becomes limb i.e. the cell becomes flaccid.

 Continuous loss of water by the cell results in the cytoplasm

moving away from the cell wall, the cell is now said to be

plasmolysed.

24
 APPLICATION.

Explain why applying excess fertilisers on plants when soil water content is low

may result in death of plants.

25
WHY DOES SALT KILL A SLUG?

2.When immersed (placed) in distilled water.

26
 Distilled water has higher water potential

than the cell sap in the vacuole.

 When plant cells are placed in water,

water enters the cells through the

partially permeable membrane.

 This is because there is a water potential

gradient so water molecules diffuse into

the cell by osmosis.

27
  Entry of water makes the cell contents

swell, water pushes the cell membrane

against the cell wall developing a turgor

pressure.
 Swollen cell is said to be turgid.

The cell wall prevents bursting of the cell since the cell

wall is strong enough to withstand the pressure.

28
UPTAKE OF WATER BY ROOT HAIR CELLS.

 Root hair cell has a long extension to increase surface area for absorption of

water.

 It has a large vacuole with very concentrated cell sap to lower the water

potential.

 The soil has higher water potential than the cell sap in the vacuole.

 Water enters the cell through the partially permeable membrane by osmosis.

29
 SAMPLE QUESTION.

N16P32Q6 (a) Describe osmosis . .[3]

(b) Fig. 6.1 shows a plant cell.

(c) Fig. 6.2 shows the same cell in pure water.

It is left there for 30 minutes.

Fig. 6.2
Describe the changes that will occur in the cell during the 30 minutes it is in pure water.
[3]

30
Importance of turgidity.

 Turgid cells give the plant support.

 They keep the stems of many plants upright because cells in the

stems are supported by turgor pressure.

SUMMARY EFFECTS OF OSMOSIS ON PLANT CELLS.

31
SAMPLE QUESTION
A potato was set up as shown in the figure below (left-hand side). The
investigation was left for several hours. The results are shown on the righthand
side of the figure.

Q1. Describe what happened to

a. the water in the disk
b. the salt solution in the hollow in the potato. [2 marks]
Q2a. Name the process that is responsible for the changes that have
occurred. [1 mark]
b. Explain why these changes have occurred. [3 mark]
c. Where does this process occur in a plant? [1 mark]
d. What is the importance to the plant of this process? [1 mark]

SAMPLE QUESTION.

32
J16 P42 Q4 Some students investigated osmosis in raw potato sticks.
(a) Define the term osmosis. [3]
(b) The students measured the mass of four of the potato sticks using an electronic
balance.
The students left each potato stick in one of four different liquids for 5 hours:
• distilled water
• 0.1 mol per dm3 sodium chloride solution
• 0.5 mol per dm3 sodium chloride solution
• 1.0 mol per dm3 sodium chloride solution.
After 5 hours they measured the mass again and calculated the change in mass.
(i) Predict which of the liquids would cause the largest decrease in mass of a potato
stick.[1]
The students dried the potato sticks with paper towels before putting them on the
electronic balance.
(ii) Suggest why. [1]
After the experiment the students noticed that the potato stick with the lowest mass was
soft and floppy.
(c) Explain why the potato stick had become soft and floppy. [3]
The students followed the same experimental procedure with boiled potato sticks and
found no overall change in mass in any of the solutions.
(d) Suggest why the mass of the boiled potato sticks remained the same. [2]
Marking Points.
(a)
 movement / diffusion, of water (molecules) ;
 from high water potential to low water potential / down water potential gradient ;
 across a partially permeable membrane ;
(b) (i) 1.0 (mol dm–3 sodium chloride solution) ;
(ii)
 (to remove) excess / surface / water on potato sticks ;
 to measure the mass of the potato (stick) only ;

(c)
 cells / potato sticks, have lost water (by osmosis) ;
 from high water potential to low water potential / down water potential gradient ;
 (cells / tissue / potato) were, plasmolysed / flaccid ;
 loss of turgor (pressure) ;

 not enough pressure of water pushing on cell walls ; [3]

(d)
 protein denatured (when cooked) ;
 cell membrane, damaged / destroyed (when cooked) ;
 no osmosis will occur ;
33
EFFECTS OF OSMOSIS ON ANIMAL CELL(RED BLOOD CELL).

1.When placed in distilled water ( pure water) .

 Water enters the cell by osmosis through the partially permeable membrane..
 Continuous entry of water into the cell cause the cell to burst because red
blood does not have cell wall prevent cell bursting.

2.When placed in a concentrated solution.

 Water moves out of the cell by osmosis.

 The cells shrinks and becomes crenated .

34
 When the cell shrinks it loses its biconcave shape , its surface area is
reduced resulting in less oxygen being transported.

Cell shrinks and

becomes crenated .

SUMMARY: EFFECTS OF OSMOSIS ON RED BLOOD CELLS.

35
SAMPLE QUESTION.

36
J15 P32 Q3 (c).Red blood cells from humans were placed into three test-tubes. Each
test-tube contained a salt solution of a different concentration. A sample was taken from
each test-tube and viewed using a microscope. The results are shown in Fig. 3.2.

Fig. 3.2
(c) (i) Describe the appearance of the red blood cells in the 0.15 mol dm salt solution and -3

the red blood cells in the 0.20 mol dm salt solution. -3

0.15 mol dm .....................................................................................................................

-3

...........................................................................................................................................
0.20 mol dm ...................................................................................................................
-3
[2]
(ii) The red blood cells in the 0.10 mol dm salt solution burst. -3

Explain why the red blood cells burst. [3]

(iii) Suggest why a plant cell in 0.10 mol dm salt solution would not burst. -3
[1]

MARKING POINTS.

(c) (i) 0.15 mol dm–3

 Red blood cells are biconcave shape.;
0.20 mol dm–3
 Red blood cells have shrunk / crenation;
(ii)
 Water entered the cell by osmosis ;
 Water molecules diffused into cells ;
 down a water potential gradient / from high water potential to low water potential (in
cells) ;
 across partially permeable membrane ;
(iii)
 cell wall is strong enough to withstand the pressure ;
 water potential (of plant cells) could be equal to 0.1 M so no net osmosis;

ACTIVE TRANSPORT.

37
Active transport is the movement of particles through a cell membrane

from a region of lower concentration to a region of higher

concentration using energy (ATP) from respiration.

 Energy is needed because molecules move against the

concentration gradient.

 Active transport involves carrier proteins on cell membranes.

EXAMPLES OF ACTIVE TRANSPORT.

 Uptake of mineral ions by root hair cells.

38
  Reabsorption of glucose in the kidneys.

 Pumping out of chloride ions into the small intestines.

HOW ACTIVE TRANSPORT OCCURS.

 The molecule to be transported attaches onto the carrier protein on

the cell membrane.

 Energy from respiration is used to change the shape of the protein.

 The molecule is released to the inside of the membrane and the

carrier protein gets back to its original shape.

DISCUSION QUESTIONS.

39
Q1(N16P23Q7) What describes active transport?

Q2(J20P13Q7) Which statement about active transport is correct?

A Particles move into cells using energy released by photosynthesis.
B Particles move across a cell wall without using energy.
C Particles move from a region of higher concentration to a region of lower
concentration.
D Particles move across a cell membrane using energy released by respiration.

Q3(N18P23Q6) Which process is involved in the uptake of glucose by the epithelial

cells of kidney tubules?
A active transport B diffusion C osmosis D transpiration

Q4(M16P22Q7) What is not an example of active transport?

A absorption of water by root hairs B reabsorption of glucose by kidney tubules
C uptake of glucose by villi D uptake of ions by root hairs
Q5(N17P13Q7) A student made the following statements about the movement of ions
by active transport.
1 It is the net movement of particles from a low concentration to a high concentration.
2 It is the net movement of particles from a high concentration to a low concentration.
3 It requires the use of energy.
4 It can only take place in living, respiring cells.
Which statements are correct?
A 1, 3 and 4 B 1 and 4 only C 2 and 4 D 2 only

40
UPTAKE MINERAL IONS BY ROOT HAIR CELLS.

J09P3Q4 Fig. 4.1 is a photograph of a root of radish covered in many root hairs.

Fig. 4.1
(a) Root hairs absorb ions, such as nitrate ions and magnesium ions, from the soil by
active transport.
Explain how ions are absorbed by active transport into root hairs.

 Root hair cells have carrier proteins for specific ions e.g

nitrate ions.

 Mineral ion binds on the carrier protein.

 Carrier protein uses energy from respiration to change

conformation.

 The mineral ion is transport to a region where it is lowly

concentrated against their concentration gradient.

ADAPTATIONS OF CELLS FOR ACTIVE TRANSPORT.

41
 Cell has many mitochondria to provide energy for active transport.

 Cell surface membrane has many carrier proteins for active

transport.

Mitochondria provide
energy for active
transport.

NB: The cells have high rates of respiration to provide energy and

anything that interferes with respiration e.g. lack of oxygen, glucose

prevents active transport to take place.

42
EFFECT OF CHOLERA PATHOGEN THE SMALL INTESTINES.

43
 Pathogen that cause cholera is called Vibrio cholerae.

 It secretes a toxin substance called choleragen.

 The choleragen cause active transport of chloride ions from the

cells that line the small intestines.

 Chloride ions accumulate in the small intestines.

 Accumulation of the ions lower the water potential in the small

intestines.

 Water moves out of the cells and blood into the small intestines.

 This results in passing out of watery faeces (diarrhoea).

 Diarrhoea leads to loss of water and ions leading to dehydration.

 Diarrhoea can be treated using the salt and sugar solution.

 For cholera an antibiotic can be used.

44
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN DIFFUSION AND ACTIVE TRANSPORT.

DIFFUSION ACTIVE TRANSPORT

 movement from high to low (solute)  movement from low to high (solute)
concentration / down a concentration concentration.
gradient.
 does not require a membrane.  does require a membrane.

 no energy needed / passive process.  requires energy / active process /

requires ATP.
 occurs in (living and) non-living.  only occurs in living.

45
INDIVIDUAL EXERCISE.

SAMPLE QUESTION

J20P32Q1 (a) Some substances move into cells by the process of diffusion.
State the name of the outer part of an animal cell that substances move through during
diffusion. [1]
(b) Substances can also move by osmosis and active transport.
Table 1.1 shows some of the features of diffusion, osmosis and active transport.
Complete Table 1.1 by placing one tick (3) in each row to show the features of diffusion,
osmosis and active transport.
One has been done for you.
Table 1.1

46
SAMPLE QUESTION.

M18P32Q5 Fig. 5.1 shows a diagram of a cell found in leaves.

Fig. 5.1
(a) (i) State the names of structures F, G and H.
Write your answers on Fig. 5.1. [3]
(ii) On Fig. 5.1 draw:
a line labelled K to show where the chromosomes are found
a line labelled L to show the position of the cell membrane. [2]
(iii) State the name of this type of plant cell. [1]

47
(b) The cell in Fig. 5.1 was placed in a concentrated glucose solution.
Fig. 5.2 shows the appearance of the cell after ten minutes in the glucose solution.

Fig. 5.2
(i) State two ways in which the cell has changed. [2]
(ii) Water moves into and out of the cell by osmosis.
Osmosis is a form of diffusion.
Describe the ways in which diffusion is different to active transport. [3]
[Total: 11]

48