Cell Transport

Plasma Membrane

Composed of a fluid-mosaic model with a phospholipid bilayer, integral proteins, and peripheral proteins.

Fluid-Mosaic Model

Describes the structure of the plasma membrane as a fluid phospholipid bilayer with embedded proteins.

Integral Proteins

Proteins that are embedded within the phospholipid bilayer of the plasma membrane.

Peripheral Proteins

Proteins that are attached to the inner surface of the phospholipid bilayer.

Glycocalyx

A sugar coat formed by carbohydrate chains bound to cell recognition proteins.

Selective Permeability

The property of the plasma membrane that allows some substances to pass through while blocking others.

Passive Transport

Transport mechanisms that do not require cellular energy, such as diffusion and facilitated diffusion.

Active Transport

Transport mechanisms that require ATP to move substances against their concentration gradient.

Diffusion

The movement of molecules from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration.

Osmosis

The diffusion of water across a semipermeable membrane.

Hypotonic Solution

A solution that causes cells to swell and burst.

Hypertonic Solution

A solution that causes cells to shrink or crenate.

Isotonic Solution

A solution that causes no change in the size of cells.

Exocytosis

The process by which vesicles fuse with the plasma membrane to release their contents outside the cell.

Endocytosis

The process by which substances are brought into the cell by vesicle formation.

Phagocytosis

A type of endocytosis involving the uptake of large particles, such as cells.

Pinocytosis

A type of endocytosis involving the uptake of small particles

Receptor-mediated Endocytosis

A specific type of pinocytosis that occurs in response to receptor stimulation.