Cell Transport Overview

These flashcards cover key concepts related to cell transport, including definitions and characteristics of different types of transport mechanisms and solutions.

What is the concentration in the context of cell transport?

The measurement of the amount of solute (e.g., sugar) dissolved in a solvent (e.g., water).

What does passive transport refer to?

Substances cross the cell membrane without the cell providing energy.

What is active transport?

A substance moves against the concentration gradient with the cell providing energy (ATP).

What is diffusion in terms of cell transport?

A substance moves through a membrane from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration.

Define osmosis.

The diffusion of water molecules across a membrane.

What is an isotonic solution?

An isotonic solution is normal, with equal concentration of solute inside and outside the cell.

Describe a hypotonic solution.

A hypotonic solution is dilute, where the concentration of solute outside the cell is lower than inside.

What occurs in a hypertonic solution?

A hypertonic solution is concentrated, where the concentration of solute outside the cell is higher than inside.

What happens to a normal red blood cell in a hypotonic solution?

The red blood cell swells.

What happens to a red blood cell in a hypertonic solution?

The red blood cell shrinks (crenated).