CELLULAR PHYSIOLOGY:

MEMBRANE TRANSPORT

Selective Permeability

The plasma membrane

allows some materials to
freely pass into and out of
the cell
This permeability includes
movement into and out of
the cell

Cellular Physiology: Membrane

Transport

Membrane Transport movement of

substance into and out of the cell

Transport is by two basic methods:

1. PASSIVE transport
No energy (ATP) is required
Moves molecules along a concentration gradient
from a higher concentration to an area of lower

concentration
may involve the use of a carrier protein (facilitated diffusion)
Simple and facilitated diffusion, osmosis

2. ACTIVE transport
The cell must provide metabolic energy (ATP)
Moves molecules against a concentration gradient
from a lower to a higher concentration of molecules
Involves the use of a carrier protein
Active transport, endocytosis, exocytosis

CONCENTRATION GRADIENT is a
difference in solute concentration
between adjacent regions of solution

TONICITY is the degree to which a

solutions concentration of solute versus
water causes water to move into or out
of the cells

Passive Transport
Processes

DIFFFUSION

Particles tend to distribute themselves

evenly within a solution

Movement is from high

concentration to low concentration, or

down a concentration gradient
examples:

diffusion of perfume molecules

movement of Oxygen gas (O 2) from
the alveoli of the lungs to the blood
in the lung capillaries
Release of CO2 gas from the blood
to the alveoli in the lungs and then
exhaled to get rid of the CO 2 gas
Figure 3.9

Passive Transport
Processes

Types of diffusion
a. SIMPLE diffusion

Unassisted process
Solutes are lipid-soluble

materials or small enough to

pass through membrane pores
CO2, O2, H2O

Passive Transport
Processes

Types of diffusion
b. FACILITATED diffusion
Substances require a protein carrier for

passive transport

c. OSMOSIS simple diffusion of water

Highly polar water easily crosses the plasma

membrane

Diffusion through the Plasma Membrane

Figure 3.10

OSMOSIS
Diffusion of water from a high concentration to a lower concentration

OSMOSIS

H2O moves
INTO the
cell

No net
movement
of H2O into
and out of
the cell

H2O moves
OUT of the
cell

ACTIVE TRANSPORT

Active Transport Processes

Transport substances that are unable to pass

by diffusion
They may be too large
They may not be able to dissolve in the fat
core of the membrane
They may have to move against a
concentration gradient
Two common forms of active transport
processes:
Active transport or solute pumping

Bulk transport: endocytosis and exocytosis

Active Transport
Processes

Active transport or Solute pumping

Amino acids, some sugars and ions are

transported by solute pumps

ATP energizes protein carriers
moves substances against concentration
gradients
From a lower to higher concentration
Example: sodium-potassium pump

ACTIVE TRANSPORT
Higher concentration of Na+

Lower concentration of Na+

Sodium-potassium pump
Sodium moves out of the cell & Potassium is pumped into the cell

Active Transport Processes

Bulk transport
ENDOCYTOSIS
- Moves substances INTO the
cell
-Engulfs food, bacteria, dead
cells, extracellular fluid
PHAGOCYTOSIS cell eating
PINOCYTOSIS cell drinking

ENDOCYTOSIS
EXOCYTOSIS
- Moves substances OUT of the
cell
- Secretion of hormones,
mucus, enzymes, other cell
products
- Release of lipids & wastes
products of cell

EXOCYTOSIS

Active Transport
Processes

Bulk transport
ENDOCYTOSIS
Extracellular substances are engulfed by being

enclosed in a membranous vescicle

Types of endocytosis
Phagocytosis cell eating
- engulfs large food particles, WBC engulfing
bacteria, old worn out cells
Pinocytosis cell drinking

- taking in of droplets of extracellular fluid

PHAGOCYTOSIS vs PINOCYTOSIS

LESSON ASSESSMENT on CELL TRANSPORT

on Thursday ( July 03 )