Cell Physiology

Transport Systems

Passive Transport No energy expended by the cell Goes downhill with the concentration gradient Substances move from [HI] [LOW] endocytosis, pinocytosis, Examples: diffusion, osmosis, phagocytosis

Active Transport Requires cell to expend energy Goes uphill or against the concentration gradient Involves embedded proteins (transport proteins) acting like pumps Other examples: Exocytosis,

facilitated diffusion

DIFFUSION
Solution = solute + solvent Solute- substance that is dissolved Solvent- substance that does the dissolving (fluid) Solute particles dissolved in a solvent are constantly in motion. Temperature motion

This constant motion causes DIFFUSION

Diffusion- movement of particles from areas of high concentration to areas of low concentration [HI] [LOW]

Diffusion

The net flow of solute continues until equilibrium is reached. Solute continue to move across the membrane, but for every one that moves in one direction, another moves in the opposite direction, so there is no net movement. [HI] [LOW] [MED] [MED]

DIFFUSION Not all substances can pass thru a cell membrane.

Diffusion Not all substances can pass thru a cell membrane.

Facilitated Diffusion
Diffusion made easy No energy required, goes with the concentration gradient Embedded proteins (channels) provide a convenient pathway for LARGE and/or charged substances to pass thru cell membrane. Also called passive diffusion Another type of embedded protein, a carrier/transport protein, grabs hold and carries the substance thru a cell membrane. Still, no energy required Ions, sugars, etc now can enter and leave cells

Facilitated Diffusion

Protein Channel

Facilitated Diffusion

Can involve embedded protein channels OR

Embedded protein carrier/transport molecules

NO ENERGY REQUIRED IT IS A PASSIVE PROCESS

Facilitated Diffusion
Substances move from areas of high concentration to areas of low concentration

NO ENERGY REQUIRED

IT IS A PASSIVE PROCESS

OSMOSIS
Diffusion of water Passive process, does not require energy The membrane is permeable to water, the solvent. The membrane is not permeable (impermeable) to the solute.

Osmosis

Osmosis and Tonicity

Hypertonic- the solution that has [solute] Water flows toward the hypertonic environment Hypotonic- the solution that has [solute] Water flows away from a hypotonic environment
Isotonic- the solutions have equal concentrations of solute (no net osmosis)

Osmosis and Tonicity

Water Balance in Animal Cells

If the animal cell is in a hypotonic environment the cell gains water, swells, and may even pop like an overfilled balloon! Osmosis can kill cells
Compared to the solute-free cup of water, the cell is

hypertonic

Water Balance in Animal Cells

If the cell is in a hypertonic environment The environment has higher [solute] than the cell The cell loses water (osmosis) and shrivels and may die Osmosis kills

ACTIVE TRANSPORT

Cells use energy (ATP) to move large molecules or ions thru a cell membrane Usually, these substances are moved uphill or against the concentration gradient. In other words, the substances are moved in the opposite direction of diffusion (passive transport) The embedded proteins involved are often called PUMPS Examples: pumps, exocytosis, endocytosis, phagocytosis, pinocytosis.

Active Transport: Pumps

Active Transport: Exocytosis

For really LARGE molecules, vesicles form and fuse to the plasma membrane & spills its contents out

Active Transport: Exocytosis

Active Transport: Endocytosis

1. Vesicles bud inward

2. Opposite ends of the cell membrane meet & connect

3. Vesicle pinches off & brings LARGE substances into cell

Active Transport: Endocytosis

An Amoeba feeding via the process of endocytosis.

Active Transport: Pinocytosis Cells actively engulf large quantities of fluid (water)

Vesicles/vacuoles

Active Transport: Phagocytosis