Cell Membranes & Movement Across Them 2006-2007

Cell membrane channels Need to make “doors” through membrane protein channels allow substances in & out specific channels allow specific material in & out H2O channel, salt channel, sugar channel, etc. inside cell H2O aa sugar salt outside cell waste

Diffusion Move from HIGH to LOW concentration directly through membrane simple diffusion no energy needed help through a protein channel facilitated diffusion (with help) HIGH LOW

Active transport Cells may need molecules to move against concentration “hill” need to pump “uphill” from LOW to HIGH using energy protein pump requires energy ATP Plants have nitrate & phosphate pumps in their roots. Why? Nitrate for amino acids Phosphate for DNA & membranes Not coincidentally these are the main constituents of fertilizer. ATP

Transport summary simple diffusion facilitated diffusion ATP active transport

Keeping right amount of water in cell 1 Keeping right amount of water in cell Freshwater a cell in fresh water high concentration of water around cell cell gains water example: Paramecium problem: cells gain water, swell & can burst water continually enters Paramecium cell solution: contractile vacuole pumps water out of cell KABOOM! freshwater No problem, here

Keeping right amount of water in cell 2 Keeping right amount of water in cell Saltwater a cell in salt water low concentration of water around cell cell loses water example: shellfish problem: cell loses water in plants: plasmolysis in animals: shrinking cell solution: take up water I’m shrinking, I’m shrinking! saltwater I will survive!

Keeping right amount of water in cell 3 Keeping right amount of water in cell Balanced conditions no difference in concentration of water between cell & environment cell in equilibrium example: blood problem: none water flows across membrane equally, in both directions volume of cell doesn’t change That’s better! balanced I could be better…