Cell Transport Systems

Diffusion
Mixing of materials by their own random motion
Mixing occurs from an area of high to low
concentrations
Osmosis
Basically the diffusion
of H
2
O through a
membrane
Since H
2
O 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 H
2
O. Other Salt water organisms must pump in
water
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 H
2
O and solvents. This is
called an isotonic solution.
Osmosis illustrated
Isotonic
Hypotonic
Hypertonic
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