Cellular Transport (Class 1)

What does the first law of thermodynamics state?

The total amount of energy in the universe is constant.

What is the second law of thermodynamics?

During every transformation of energy, some amount of energy is lost in a form that is unusable, typically as heat energy.

What are endergonic reactions?

Reactions that absorb energy from the environment.

What are exergonic reactions?

Reactions that release energy into the environment.

How are endergonic and exergonic reactions linked in cellular energetics?

They can proceed in both directions, with exergonic reactions releasing energy and endergonic reactions absorbing it.

What is the basic structure of ATP?

ATP is composed of adenosine monophosphate (AMP), which includes an adenine molecule, a ribose molecule, and a single phosphate group.

What role does ATP play in cellular energetics?

ATP acts as an energy carrier, storing and releasing energy during exergonic and endergonic reactions.

What occurs during an oxidation reaction?

An oxidation reaction strips an electron from an atom in a compound.

What occurs during a reduction reaction?

The addition of an electron to another compound.

What is diffusion?

The process where particles move from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration due to random motion.

What factors influence diffusion rates?

Mass of molecules, temperature, extent of the concentration gradient, solvent density, and solubility.

What is selective permeability?

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

What is facilitated diffusion?

The process where materials diffuse across the plasma membrane with the help of membrane proteins.

What is active transport?

The movement of substances against their concentration gradients, requiring energy, usually in the form of ATP.

What is osmosis?

The diffusion of water across a membrane, influenced by solute concentration differences.

How does solute concentration affect osmotic movement?

Water will diffuse to the side of the membrane where solute concentration is lower.

What is tonicity?

A measure of the relative concentration of water and solutes on opposite sides of a semipermeable membrane.

What is a hypotonic solution?

A solution with a higher concentration of water and a lower concentration of solutes compared to another solution.

What is a hypertonic solution?

A solution with a lower concentration of water and a higher concentration of solutes compared to another solution.

What happens to a cell in an isotonic solution?

There will be equal amounts of water moving in and out of the cell.