Cell Transport Mechanisms

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and definitions related to cell transport mechanisms, including diffusion, osmosis, and tonicity.

Water

An essential substance for life that enables biochemical processes in living organisms.

Diffusion

The movement of molecules from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration, resulting in dynamic equilibrium.

Osmosis

The movement of water across a selectively permeable membrane from an area of higher water concentration to an area of lower water concentration.

Tonicity

The relative concentration of solutes in a solution that determines whether a cell gains or loses water.

Isotonic solution

A solution with equal solute concentration, causing no net movement of water in or out of the cell.

Hypotonic solution

A solution with lower solute concentration than inside the cell, leading to water influx and potential cell swelling or bursting.

Hypertonic solution

A solution with higher solute concentration than inside the cell, causing water to leave the cell and potentially leading to cell shriveling.

Facilitated diffusion

The process of transporting molecules across a cell membrane with the help of channel or carrier proteins, usually for larger or polar substances.

Passive transport

The movement of molecules across a cell membrane without the expenditure of energy.

Dynamic equilibrium

A state reached when the concentrations of solute are equal on both sides of a membrane, resulting in no net movement.