Movement of substances across plasma membrane

Passive Transport

 The movement of substances across the plasma membrane, which does not require energy There are 3 types of passive transport:
Simple diffusion Osmosis Facilitated diffusion

Simple diffusion
Movement of molecules from a region of higher concentration to a region of lower concentration until an equilibrium is achieved Small molecules such as oxygen, carbon dioxide, and lipid soluble molecules can move across plasma membrane by simple diffusion This process does not require energy Examples:
Gaseous exchange between the alveolus and blood capillaries Gaseous exchange in unicellular organism

Down the concentration gradient

High concentration

Low concentration

Osmosis
Movement of water molecules from a region of high concentration water molecules to a region of low concentration water molecules across the semi permeable membrane Does not require energy The movement of water molecules will occur until an equilibrium is achieve Example:
Absorption of water by root hairs

Before

Semi permeable membrane

After

Sucrose molecule

Water molecule

 A dilute solution has a high concentration of water molecules A concentrated solution has a low concentration of water molecules

Down the concentration gradient

High concentration

Low concentration

Facilitated diffusion
Transport of molecules across the plasma membrane of living cell by a process that involves carrier protein and pore protein within the plasma membrane Substances such as glucose, amino acids, ions, and nucleic acid can pass through the membrane by facilitated diffusion This process does not required energy Example:
Absorption of digested food in the villus

Carrier protein
Allows the movement of larger substances such as glucose and amino acids across the plasma membrane They have binding sites that can combine with specific molecules

 Molecules such as glucose and amino acids move towards the binding site of carrier protein which are specific for these molecules The molecule binds to the binding site on the carrier protein The carrier protein changes its shape and delivers the molecule across the plasma membrane

Pore / channel protein

The proteins form pores and channels through which ions such as Na+, K+ and Cl- can diffuse across the plasma membrane Each pore or channel is specific and will allow specific ions to pass through Pores can open or close, acting as a gates depend on the needs of the cells

Active transport
Movement of molecules and ions against the concentration gradient across the plasma membrane Requires carrier protein and energy The energy usually come from ATP provided by respiration in the mitochondria

 Na+ ions bind to the carrier protein inside the plasma membrane ATP is split into ADP and phosphate. The splitting of ATP releases energy to the carrier protein

 The phosphate group attaches itself to the carrier protein The structure of carrier protein changes and causes Na+ ions to be expelled to the external space K+ ions binds to the carrier protein Carrier protein will change back quickly to its original shape following by the removal of the phosphate group K+ ions moves to the inside cell