Flashcards for:
Understanding Cell Membrane Transport

Exocytosis is the process of moving materials out of the cell, while endocytosis involves bringing materials into the cell, both requiring vesicles and energy.

Cell membrane transport mechanisms are crucial for acquiring nutrients, expelling waste, and maintaining ionic balance, which are essential for cell functionality.

Hypertonic solutions have a higher concentration outside the cell, causing the cell to lose water. Isotonic solutions have equal concentrations inside and outside, leading to no net water movement. Hypotonic solutions have higher concentration inside the cell, leading to water absorption and potential bursting.

Diffusion is the movement of molecules from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration without requiring energy. An example is oxygen moving across the cell membrane.

Active transport is necessary to move substances against their concentration gradients, which is not possible with passive transport mechanisms.

The sodium-potassium pump helps maintain the electrochemical gradient necessary for nerve impulse transmission and muscle contraction.

Phagocytosis involves engulfing whole particles, whereas pinocytosis involves engulfing dissolved substances or fluids.

Receptor-mediated endocytosis is a target-specific form of endocytosis where receptors on the cell surface bind specific molecules for absorption, such as cholesterol.

Osmosis is a specific type of diffusion that involves the movement of water across a semi-permeable membrane.

ATP, or Adenosine Tri-Phosphate, provides the energy required for active transport processes that move substances against concentration gradients.

The sodium-potassium pump transports sodium ions out of the cell and potassium ions into the cell against their concentration gradients using ATP.

Phagocytosis is the engulfment of large particles, such as when white blood cells consume bacteria.

The sodium-potassium pump was discovered by Jens Christian Skou in the 1950s.

The cell membrane's selective permeability allows necessary substances to enter and pushes out unnecessary ones, maintaining cellular homeostasis.

Vesicular transport involves the movement of large molecules or particles via vesicles, and it requires energy for the processes of endocytosis and exocytosis.