Introduction to Cell Transport

Vocabulary terms covering the structure of the cell membrane and the mechanisms of passive and active transport.

Cell Transport

The process by which substances move in and out of cells, crucial for maintaining homeostasis.

Homeostasis

Keeping the internal environment of the cell stable despite changes outside.

Cell Membrane

The star of cell transport that acts as a barrier to control what enters and leaves the cell.

Phospholipid Bilayer

The main component of the cell membrane, arranged with hydrophilic heads facing outward and hydrophobic tails facing inward.

Hydrophilic

A term for the water-attracting head of a phospholipid.

Hydrophobic

A term for the water-repelling tails of a phospholipid.

Cholesterol

A component that helps stabilize the cell membrane and maintain its fluidity.

Carbohydrate Chains

Structures that assist in cell communication by acting as signals for other cells.

Proteins

Membrane components that create passageways for substances that cannot pass through the lipid bilayer.

Passive Transport

Movement of substances without the use of energy.

Diffusion

The process where molecules move from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration until equilibrium is reached.

Osmosis

The diffusion of water molecules through a selectively permeable membrane.

Active Transport

Movement of substances against their concentration gradient, requiring energy ($ATP$).

Endocytosis

The process by which cells engulf substances to bring them inside, such as white blood cells engulfing bacteria.

Exocytosis

The process of removing substances from the cell, such as nerve cells releasing neurotransmitters.