Cell Transport Systems

Henny Rachdiati, Bpharm, MSc., PhD

Diffusion
Mixing of materials by their own random
motion
Mixing occurs from an area of high to
low concentrations
Osmosis
 Basically the diffusion of
H2O through a
membrane
 Since H2O molecules are
small – they can pass
through membranes
(even non-polar part)
 Follows the same
principles of regular
diffusion (High to low
concentration)
 Osmotic pressure
When a cell is in fresh water, the concentration
of water is greater on the outside than the
inside of a cell. This is called a Hypotonic
solution. When this happens, water can fill the
cell and put pressure on the side of it causing
pressure – Osmotic pressure. If osmotic pressure
gets too much it can “burst” a cell. This is
called Plasmolysis.

Many fresh water organisms have built in

“sump pumps” to remove excess H2O. Other
Salt water organisms must pump in water
 Osmotic pressure
Conversely, in a salt-water environment, cells
must pump water into the cell. This is called a
hypertonic solution. The cell can lose water
and "shrivel" this is called crenation.

Cells in larger organisms are surrounded by

solution with roughly equal concentrations of
H2O and solvents. This is called an isotonic
solution.
Osmosis illustrated

Isotonic Hypertonic Hypotonic

Selective Transports

Used for molecules which cannot easily pass

through cell membrane because they are
either…
Too large to pass between phospholipids
Are polar and cannot pass through non-polar
region eg. ions
Two basic types
Facilitated Diffusion
Works by having channel proteins of
different sizes (like a sieve) or ion channels
which allow larger, or charged molecules
to diffuse in/out of cell
Active Transports
 Lets in/out molecules via membrane proteins which actively
pump in/out molecules.
 This requires energy from the cell.
 Moves molecules in 1 direction AGAINST THE CONCENTRATION
GRADIENT
 Example is the Sodium-Potassium Pump.
Sodium / Potassium Pump (Adv. Bio)
Pumps Potassium into & Sodium out-of cell
6 step process

1. 3 Na+ (Sodium) Ions bind to a special

receptor protein
2. Energy (from ATP) is added to the
protein.
3. Protein changes shape, releasing Na+
from the cell.
4. 2 K+ (Potassium) ions now bind to the
protein
5. Phosphate is released, protein returns
to its original shape.
6. K+ ions are released into the cell
interior
Endocytosis
Large particles enter cells via endocytosis
Membrane actively surrounds & engulfs particle or
fluid and forms a vacuole.
Phagocytosis – Cell eating – involves large particles.
Pinocytosis – Cell Drinking – involves liquids.
Exocytosis
Large particles exit the cell via Exocytosis
Vessicle moves to and merges with the plasma membrane.
Vessicle ruptures outwards, releasing its contents
Receptor mediated endocytosis
Receptor mediated endocytosis: ligands bind to
specific receptors on cell surface (coated pits)
Example: human cells take in cholesterol by this process