AP Biology Membrane Permeability and Transport Review

This set of flashcards covers key vocabulary and concepts related to membrane permeability and transport processes in AP Biology.

Membrane Permeability

Refers to the ability of certain molecules to move freely across the cell membrane.

Passive Transport

Movement of molecules in and out of a cell without using energy, following the concentration gradient.

Active Transport

Movement of molecules against their concentration gradient, requiring energy in the form of ATP.

Simple Diffusion

Net movement of small, non-polar molecules across a membrane without the need for a transport protein.

Facilitated Diffusion

Net movement of polar or charged molecules across a membrane through channel proteins, following the concentration gradient.

Osmosis

The diffusion of water across a semipermeable membrane from an area of high water concentration to an area of low water concentration.

Isotonic

A solution having the same concentration of solutes as another solution, resulting in no net movement of water.

Hypertonic

A solution with a higher concentration of solutes compared to another solution, causing water to move out of the cell.

Hypotonic

A solution with a lower concentration of solutes compared to another solution, causing water to move into the cell.

Channel Proteins

Proteins that form pores in the membrane allowing small polar molecules or ions to pass through.

Carrier Proteins

Proteins that bind to specific molecules, change shape, and transport them across the membrane.

Phospholipid Bilayer

The structural basis of the cell membrane, composed of hydrophobic fatty acid tails and hydrophilic phosphate heads, affecting membrane permeability.