Studied by 0 people
Looks like no one added any tags here yet for you.
Diffusion
The movement of molecules from high to low concentration.
Osmosis
The movement of water across a membrane to equalize solute concentration.
Resting Membrane Potential
The electrical gradient created when the intracellular space has a more negative charge compared to the extracellular space. (aka when the cell is at rest)
Isotonic
A solution that has the same solute concentration as the cell's cytoplasm, causing no net movement of water.
Hypertonic
A solution that has a higher solute concentration than the cell's cytoplasm, leading water to move out of the cell.
Hypotonic
A solution that has a lower solute concentration than the cell's cytoplasm, causing water to move into the cell.
Depolarization
The process during which a cell's membrane potential becomes more positive, typically due to the influx of sodium ions.
Repolarization
The process during which a cell's membrane potential returns to its resting state, often due to the efflux of potassium ions.
Chemical Gradient
The difference in concentration of ions or molecules across a membrane.
Electrical Gradient
The difference in charge across a membrane, contributing to the membrane potential.
Sodium-Potassium Exchange Pump
An active transport mechanism that pumps sodium out of the cell and potassium into the cell.
Tonicity
The relative concentration of solutes in a solution which determines the movement of water across a membrane.
Cations
Positively charged ions, such as Sodium (Na+), Potassium (K+), and Calcium (Ca2+).
Anions
Negatively charged ions, such as Chloride (Cl-) and Proteins.
Passive Ion Channels
Protein structures that allow ions to flow across the cell membrane down their concentration and electrical gradients.
