Movement of Substances

These flashcards cover essential vocabulary and concepts related to the movement of substances in biological systems, focusing on diffusion, osmosis, and active transport.

Diffusion

The net movement of particles from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration, down a concentration gradient, until equilibrium is reached. (both regions equal concentrations)

Concentration Gradient

The difference in concentration between two regions, where particles move from a higher concentration to a lower concentration.

Passive Process

A process that does not require energy to occur; diffusion is an example of this.

Osmosis

The net movement of water molecules from a region of higher water potential to a region of lower water potential across a partially permeable membrane.

Turgor Pressure

The pressure exerted by fluid against the cell wall of a plant cell, affecting its firmness and turgidity.

Active Transport

The movement of particles from a region of lower concentration to a region of higher concentration against a concentration gradient, requiring energy.

Water Potential

The potential energy of water in a solution, which affects the movement of water during osmosis.

Plasmolysis

The process where plant cells lose water in a hypertonic solution, causing the cell membrane to pull away from the cell wall. water molecules lesve cell and becomes flaccid and plasmolysed. cell wall retains shape but plant tissue soft.

Turgid

A condition in which plant cells are full of water, resulting in firmness due to turgor pressure.

Flaccid

A condition of plant cells when water leaves, causing the cells to become soft and limp.

Facilitated Diffusion

A form of passive transport that uses carrier proteins to help substances cross cell membranes without energy.

Ion Uptake

The process by which plants absorb mineral ions through their root hairs, often against their concentration gradient.

Gas Exchange

The process through which organisms take in oxygen and release carbon dioxide, critical for respiration in humans and photosynthesis in plants.

Diffusion Factors

Various conditions that affect the rate of diffusion, including concentration gradient, temperature, and particle size.