CHAPTER 3 Movement of Substances Across the Plasma

Membrane
Movement of Substances Across the Plasma Membrane
1. A cell is surrounded by a plasma membrane that separates if from the outer
environment.
2. The cell has to be moves substances into & out of the cell for cellular activities.
3. Many biochemical reactions take place in a cell.
4. Animal & plant cells require lucose & !2 to carry out cellular respiration.
". The palisade mesophyll cells require #2!$ %!2 & liht to perform photosynthesis.
&. 'aste products that are formed durin biochemical reactions (ithin the cells must be
eliminated ) poisonous.
*. +,cess !2 must be removed from the palisade mesophyll cells.
-. +,cess suar must be transported from the palisade mesophyll cells to other cells in
the plant.
.. Metabolic (astes /%!2$ urea 0removed from the cells1
12.3ecretions 0diestive en4ymes1 are secreted by speci5c cells in the body.
Movement of substances into & out of the cell is important to:
a1 !btain nutrients 0for metabolism & ro(th1
b1 !btain !2 0respiration1
c1 +,crete metabolic (astes
d1 Maintain suitable p# 0maintain a stable internal environment for optimal en4ymatic
activities1
e1 Maintain an ion 6 7 radient required for nerve & muscle cell activities
f1 3ecrete useful substances 0diestive en4ymes & hormones1
Substances can move into / out of a cell by:
1. Passive Transport
a1 simple di8usion
b1 osmosis
c1 facilitated di8usion

2. Active Transport
Movement of substances across the plasma membrane woul
epen on :
a1 selectivity of the partially permeable membrane
b1 the di8erence in 6 7 bet(een the cell & e,tracellular 9uid
The Structure of the Plasma Membrane
All cell are covered by a thin plasma membrane 0separates the cell contents from the
surroundin1.
3ubstances move into : out of a cell must cross the plasma membrane.
1.*2$ !.! Sin"er & #.$ %icholoson proposed the &ui'mosaic moel 0 of plasma
membrane1.
a1 ;lasma membrane is dynamic & 9uid 0phospholipids molecules can move$ thus ive
the membrane its 9uidity & 9e,ibility1
b1 ;rotein molecules 9oat about in a phospholipids bilayer 0ive it<s a mosaic
appearance1
c1 The phospholipids molecules arrane themselves in a layer of 2 molecules thick
0bilayer1
d1 Thickness of the membrane is 1.2=-.2 nm
e1 The hydrophilic heads of one layer point to(ards the outside of the cell 0chemically
attracted to the (atery surroundin1
f1 The hydrophilic heads of the second layer point to(ards the inside
1 The hydrophobic fatty acid tails of the phospholipids molecule face in(ards$
pointin in to(ards the middle of the membrane 0a(ay from (ater1
h1 >on=polar molecules 0ethanol & acetone1 can pass quickly throuh the lipid layer
because they are soluble in lipid
i1 %holesterol molecules stabili4e the structure of the plasma membrane
?1 The phospholipid bilayer is permeable to di8usion of small unchared molecules 0!2$
%!21
k1 There are proteins on the outer & inner surfaces of the plasma membrane. ;roteins
molecules partially or (holly embedded in the membrane form the mosaic pattern
0free to drift in the 9uid lipid bilayer1
l1 Transport proteins reulate the movement of (ater=soluble molecules & ions
throuh the plasma membrane
= 2 types of transport proteins 0channel proteins & carrier proteins1
= (hannel proteins
o
have pores that facilitate di8usion of particular ions : molecules
across the plasma membrane1
o
si4e of the pores & chares that line the pores make the channel
proteins selective for the passae of @
A
$ >a
A
$ %a
2A
& %l
=
o
speed up the rate for the ions to move across the plasma membrane
= carrier proteins
o have bindin sites 0can take up speci5c molecules on one side of the
plasma membrane & release them on the other side1
o sometimes enery from AT; is required for this purpose
m1 3hort= branched carbohydrate chains are attached to some proteins 0form
lycoproteins1 & to some lipids 0forms lycolipids1
Properties of the Plasma Membrane
;lasma membrane 0like the Biskin tubin1 permits #2! & certain substance pass
throuh it.
The membrane does not permit the movement of lare molecules throuh it.
The cell membrane is described as / semi'permeable membrane : partially
permeable.
+ of semipermeable membranes
e membrane
cellophane 0membrane of the Biskin tube1
The semi=permeable property of the plasma membrane determines the composition
of the cytoplasm 0control the types of material enter & leave the cell1
Materials pass into : out of cells by/
a1 passive processes 0simple di8usion$ facilitated di8usion & osmosis1 C
require no input of enery from the cell
b1 active i)usion 0active transport1 C requires an input of enery from the cell
Passive Transport
a* Simple i)usion
1. Di8usion is the movement of particles 0molecules : solutes1 (ithin a as or a liquid from
a reion of hih 6 7 to a reion of lo(er 6 7 0to move own a concentration
"raient until an e+uilibrium is reache1
2. 3ubstances that can move throuh the phospholipids layer by simple di8usion include/
a1 small non=polar molecules 0!2 & %!21
b1 lipid=soluble substances 0vit A$D$+$@$ steroids & alcohols1
c1 #2! molecules
3. Eactors a8ectin rate of di8usion are /
a1 Surface area between the 2 re"ion
the larer the surface area$ the hiher the rate of di8usion
lipid=soluble substances di8use faster across plasma membrane than do (ater=
soluble substances 0because phosphorlipids occupy a larer surface area
compared to protein pores1
b1 ,istance/thic-ness of the membrane over which i)usion occurs
the shorter the distance the hiher the rate of di8usion across it
c1 (oncentration "raient .between the 2 re"ions*
the reater the di8erence in 6 7 bet(een the 2 reions$ the hiher the rate of
di8usion
d1 Si/e & nature of the particles
smaller particles di8use faster than larer particles
Movement of substances across the
plasma membrane
Passive transport Active transport
Facilitated
diffusion
osmosis Simple
diffusion
lipid=soluble particles di8use throuh the phospholipids bilayer (hile (ater=
soluble particles pass throuh the protein pores of the plasma membrane
e1 Temperature
At hiher temp$ the particles have more kinetic enery & they di8use at a hiher
rate
4. Di8usion of di8erent types of particle can take place in opposite directions 0(hen !2
di8uses out of the alveolus$ at the same time$ %!2 di8uses into it1.
". Di8usion occurs in livin & non=livin systems.
b* 0smosis
1. !smosis is the movement of #2! molecules from a reion of hiher 6 7 to a reion of
lo(er 6 7 throuh a semi'permeable membrane.
2. !smosis is the movement of #2! molecules do(n the 6 7 radient of #2! throuh a
semi=permeable membrane.
3. !smosis is the i)usion of 120 only & not of the substances that dissolved in #2!.
4. #2! molecules (ill di8use across a semi=permeable membrane from a ilute solution
to a more concentrate solution until equal no of #2! molecules are present on
either side of the membrane. A ynamic e+uilibrium has been reached.
". The process of osmosis does not require enery 0#2! moves across a semi=permeable
membrane accordin to its 6 7 radient1
&. a1 A dilute solution (ith a hih #2! 6 7 ) means the solution has a lo( 6 7 of solutes.
b1 A more concentrated solution has a lo(er 6 7 of #2! and a hiher 6 7 of solutes.
c1 The hiher the 6 7 of solutes$ the lo(er the 6 7 of #2!.
2":
#2! molecules di8use across the semi=permeable membrane from the "F sucrose
solution into 22F sucrose solution.
a1 'hen the more concentrated sucrose solution is placed inside the Biskin tubin$
#2! molecules enter it by osmosis & the tubin e,pands.
b1 'hen the more concentrated sucrose solution is placed outside the Biskin tubin$
#2! molecules leave it by osmosis & the tubin shrinks.
2.": #2! molecules move across the phospholipids bilayer & pore protein in the plasma
membrane by osmosis.
c* 3acilitate i)usion
1. Eacilitated di8usion refers to the movement of hydrophilic molecules : ions across the
plasma membrane (ith the help of transport proteins.
2. 3ubstances that are not soluble in lipids do not pass throuh the phospholipids bilayer
of the plasma membrane.
3. 3ubstances such as / lucose$ amino acids$ proteins & nucleic acids 0do not pass readily
throuh the phospholipids bilayer1. These molecules i)use passively into the cell
(ith the help of transport proteins.
4. Eacilitated di8usion does not require enery ) the transport proteins move the
molecules do(n their 6 7 radients.
". There are 2 types of transport proteins /
a1 %arrier proteins
b1 ;ore proteins 0channel proteins1
&. (arrier proteins
#ave bindin sites that can combine reversibly (ith speci5c molecules & transport
them across the plasma membrane.
Are speci5c 0each cn only combine (ith speci5c molecules1
%arrier proteins pick up the di8usin molecules on one side of the membrane &
release them on the other side.
+nable the movement of macromolecules across the plasma membrane at a faster
rate.
+/ carrier protein for lucose is called permease
*. Pore proteins 0channel proteins1
;ore proteins provide a functional pore in the plasma membrane for the di8usion of
ions.
;ore proteins are transporters that are al(ays open.
Gsually$ pore proteins have speci5c shapes & chares that only allo( speci5c ions to
pass throuh.
+/ pores for >a
A
and @
A
0in neurons1.
%hannel proteins speed up the rate at (hich ions di8use across the plasma
membrane.
The main route of #2! di8usion is throuh the pores. #o(ever$ #2! is a small
molecule so some #2! molecules could di8use across the phospholipids bilayer.
Active Transport
1. Active transport is the movement of particles across the plasma membrane
aainst the concentration radient 0from a reion of lo( 6 7 to a reion of hih 6 7 1.
2. Active transport requires an input of enery provided by AT; 0adenosine
triphosphate1.
AT; is enerated durin respiration in the mitochondria.
3. Active transport requires the use of speci5c carriers proteins to transport molecules
aainst their 6 7 radient.
A carrier protein has an active site (hich binds (ith a particular molecule:ion &
another active site (hich binds (ith the AT; molecule.
The speci5c carrier proteins bind to the substance to be transported$ enablin
the substance to pass rapidly across the plasma membrane.
3ometimes these carrier proteins are referred to biolo"ical pumps 0they
operate like (ater pump (hich use enery to move (ater aainst ravity1.
4. Active transport can only take place in livin oranisms.
". Active transport results in the accumulation:elimination of molecules:ions from the
cell.
2":
a* soium'potassium pump
= found in all animal cells 0esp nerve & muscle cells1.
= in animals$ the 6 7 of potassium ions$ @
A
inside the cell is al(ays hiher than its 6 7
outside the cell. 'hile the 6 7 of sodium ions$ >a
A
is al(ays hiher on the outside of
the cell than its 6 7 inside the cell.
= this pump simultaneously transports >a
A
to the outside of the cell & @
A
into the cell.
= transport of soium ions
the 6 7 of >a
A
is hiher on the outside of the cell.
The >a
A
approach the carrier protein. The carrier protein has a site for the >a
A
&
another site to bind the AT; molecule.
The shape of the carrier protein 0sodium=potassium pump1 allo(s it to take up 3
>a
A
at a time.
The carrier protein binds the >a
A
. The AT; molecule is split into adenosine
diphosphate 0AD;1.
The phosphate roup then attaches itself to the carrier protein. The splittin of
AT; releases enery to the carrier protein.
+nery from the AT; chanes the shape of the carrier protein.
This causes the carrier protein to release the >a
A
outside the cell.
,i)erences between passive transport & active transport
Passive transport Active transport
;articles move (ith 6 7 radient. ;articles move aainst the 6 7
radient.
Does not require an input of enery
from the cell.
%ellular enery 0AT;1 is required.
The process continues until a
dynamic equilibrium is reached.
The process results in the
accumulation:elimination of
substances from the cell.
;rocess is not inhibited by respiratory
poisons.
;rocess is inhibited by respiratory
poisons 0cyanide1
The Process of Passive Transport & Active Transport in $ivin"
0r"anisms
1. Simple i)usion
#aseous e4chan"e throuh the stomata of leaves durin photosynthesis.
2vaporation of 120 from leaf cells throuh stomata durin transpiration.
#aseous e4chan"e in unicellular oranisms 0Amoeba sp.1
#aseous e4chan"e bet(een alveoli & bloo capillaries durin respiration/
a1 aseous e,chane at the alveoli occurs by simple di8usion
b1 the alveoli resemble tiny bubbles that provide enormous surface area for simple
di8usion.
c1 02 in the alveoli di8uses into the blood capillaries of the luns because the 6 7 of !2
in the alveoli is hiher than blood capillaries.
d1 (02 di8uses out of the blood capillaries of the luns into the alveoli because the 6 7
of %!2 in the blood capillaries is hiher than alveoli.
2. 3acilitate i)usion
Absorption of diested food in the vilus/
a1 the ileum has numerous villi (hich ive the ileum an internal surface area about
&22 times of a smooth tube of same lenth.
b1 3ome end=products of diestion are absorbed by facilitated di8usion 0e/ fructose1
5. 0smosis
0smore"ulation in aquatic oranisms.
Movement of 120 from one plant cell to another.
Transport of 120 in the corte, of plant stems.
6ater upta-e by plant roots/
a1 root hairs are elonated epidermal cells that pro?ect into the soil.
b1 Hoot hairs increase the surface area of the root 0allo( it to absorb #2!1
c1 3oil normally has a hiher 6 7 of #2! (hen compared to the cell sap of root hairs.
d1 Therefore$ #2! moves into the vacuoles of root hair cells by osmosis.
7. Active transport
Gptake of mineral salts & ions by root hairs/
a1 The 6 7 of ions & minerals is hiher in the cell sap than in the soil.
b1 mineral ions are absorbed across the membranes of the root hairs by active
transport.
Accumulation & elimination of substances by oranisms 0live in the sea1
a1 the ala Nitella sp. Accumulates iodide ions althouh the 6 7 of iodine in its
protoplasm is hiher than the sea.
b1 The ala #alicystis sp. +liminates >a
A
from its cells & accumulates @
A
ions in its cells
throuh active transport.
The accumulation of iodine in the cells of the thyroid land.
The movement of sodium ions into the cells linin the kidney tubules.
Movement of Subtances Across the Plasma Membrane
in 2veryay $ife
1ypotonic8 hypertonic & isotonic solutions .animal & plant
cells*
1. The solution with a hi"her solute 9 : is sai to be hypertonic
A cell in hypertonic solution (ill lose #2! by osmosis.
'hen a cell is surrounded by an e,ternal solution that is more concentrated than
the cytoplasm$ the e,ternal solution is said to be hypertonic to the cell.
2. The solution (ith a lo(er solute 6 7 is said to be hypotonic.
A cell in hypotonic solution (ill ain #2! by osmosis.
'hen a cell is surrounded by an e,ternal solution that is more dilute than the
cytoplasm or vacuole$ the e,ternal solution is said to be hypotonic to the cell.
3. The solution in (hich the 6 7 of solutes are equal are said to be isotonic.
A cell in isotonic solution neither ains nor loses #2! by osmosis.
'hen a cell is surrounded by an e,ternal solution that has the same 6 7 as the
cytoplasm or vacuole$ the e,ternal solution is said to be isotonic (ith the cell.
Animal & plant cells in an isotonic solution
The cytoplasm of animal cells contains 1208 solutes & other substances.
In plant cells$ these substances are stored mainly in the larer central vacuole.
Plant cells have a cell wall made of cellulose (hich envelopes the plasma
membrane. The cell (all is fully permeable to solutes & #2!.
Animal cells contain cytoplasmic &ui that is surrounded by the interstitial &ui
or tissue &ui. #ence$ the cells are constantly sub?ected to osmosis.
The movement of #2! across the plasma membrane is determined by the 6 7 of
substances in the interstitial 9uid (hich bathes the cells.
Jivin cells need to be in a stable internal environment$ the interstitial 9uid of animal
cells is usually isotonic to the cytoplasmic 9uid (ithin the cells.
An isotonic solution is a solution in (hich the 6 7 of solutes is equal to that of the
cytoplasm of the cell.
a1 #2! di8uses into & out of the cell at equal rates. Therefore$ there is no net
movement of #2! across the plasma membrane 0no net ain or loss of #2!1.
b1 The cells retain their normal shape
It is important for the cells in an animal<s body to be bathed in tissue 9uid (hich is
isotonic to the cytoplasmic 9uid (ithin each cell.
a1 ensure the shape of the cells remains intact & prevent s the cells from s(ellin &
shrinkin
Animal & plant cells in a hypotonic solution
3olutions (hich contain hiher 6 7 of #2! than the cytoplasm are called hypotonic
solutions.
#ypotonic solutions contain a lo(er 6 7 of solutes than the cell.
The 6 7 of #2! is hiher outside the cell$ there is a net movement of #2! from the
outside into the cell.
The cell ains #2!$ s(ells & the internal pressure increases.
Animal & plant cells in a hypertonic solution
#ypertonic solutions contain a hiher 6 7 of solutes than a cell.
The 6 7 of #2! is hiher (ithin the cell$ there is a net movement of #2! from the inside
to the outside of the cell. As a result$ #2! leaves the cell.
This cause the cell to shrink : shrivel as its internal pressure decreases.
1. The e)ects of hypotonic solutions on animal cells .pic*
a1 'hen red blood cells are immersed in a hypotonic solution$ #2! di8use into the cells by
osmosis.
b1 This is because the solution outside the cells is less concentrated.
c1 The cells start to s(ell.
d1 If the solution is e,tremely hypotonic 0(hich consists of distilled : pure #2!1$ the cells
may s(ell up & eventually burst.
e1 the plasma membrane of red blood cells is too thin & delicate to (ithstand the osmotic
pressure (hich develops (ithin the cells.
f1 This causes the plasma membrane to rupture & the contents of the cells are released
into the surroundins.
1 This condition is kno(n as haemolysis.
2. The e)ects of hypotonic solution on plant cells
a1 'hen plant cells are immersed in a hypotonic solution$ #2! di8uses into the lare
central vacuole by osmosis.
b1 The solution is less concentrated outside the cell than the inside.
c1 the lare central vacuole e,pands & s(ell up.
d1 The vacuole & cytoplasm press out(ards aainst the plasma membrane (hich in turn
presses hard aainst the cell (all.
e1 The cell is said to be turid & 5rms as a result of the net 9o( of #2! into the cell.
f1 The plant cell does not burst ) its riid cell (all is stron enouh to resist the
increasin pressure (ithin.
1 Turor pressure is created (ithin the cell.
h1 Turor pressure is very important to plant cells 0it supports & maintains the shape of
the cells1
i1 'hen the cells are turid$ plant leaves are held out straiht & the stem is maintained in
an upriht position.
?1 Turidity of plant cells ) responsible for causin the uard cells in leaves to s(ell so
that the stomata remain open for photosynthesis.
5. The e)ects of hypertonic solutions on animal cells
a1 'hen red blood cells are immersed in a hypertonic solution$ #2! di8uses out of the
cells by osmosis.
b1 The solution outside the cell is more concentrated.
c1 the cell loses #2! to the e,ternal environment$ shrivel & the plasma membrane crinkles
up.
d1 the red blood cells are said to have underone crenation.
7. The e)ects of hypertonic solutions on plant cells
a1 (hen plant cells are immersed in a hypertonic solution$ #2! di8uses out of the lare
central vacuole by osmosis.
b1 vacuole & cytoplasm lose #2! to the surroundins & shrink. The plasma membrane
pulls a(ay from the cell (all.
c1 this is called plasmolysis 0a shrink of the cytoplasm due to osmosis1.
d1 the plant cell becomes 9accid & less turid.
e1 the cell (all does not shrink because it is stron & riid.
f1 if plasmolysis persists$ death of plant cell may occur.
1 a plasmolysed plant cell can become turid aain by immersin the cell in a hypotonic
solution 0pure #2!1. #2! moves into the cell by osmosis & the cell becomes turid
aain.
h1 the cell is said to have undero eplasmolysis.
2)ects of hypotonic & hypertonic solution 0refer ) o,ford p &"1
1. In a hypertonic solution$ #2! leaves the plant cell & the protoplast pulls a(ay from
the cell (all.
2. The plasmolysed cell becomes soft or &acci because the protoplast is no loner
pushin aainst the cell (all.
3. If the plant is youn (ith little (oody tissue$ 9accid cells (ill cause it to (ilt.
4. In a hypotonic solution$ #2! enters the plant cell$ 5llin up the vacuole to capacity.
The protoplast pushes aainst the cell$ makin the cell very riid.
". The riid cell is said to be turid. %ells of a healthy plant are normally turid.
&. Turidity is important in youn plants$ especially seedlin$ (hen it is the only means of
support.
The e)ects & application of osmosis
Gnder normal conditions$ cells in livin oranisms rarely burst : crenate 0interstitial 9uid
has the same 6 7 as the cytoplasmic 9uid in the cells1.
a* 6iltin" of plants
Gsually caused by the e4cessive use of fertili/ers 0potassium nitrate1
The soil solution becomes hypertonic to the cell sap of the root hair cells.
#2! moves out of the plant cells from the cell sap into the soil by osmosis
0plasmolysed1
'hen 9accidity spreads throuhout the plant$ (iltin occurs.
Shorta"e of 120 in soil also lead to (iltin in plants.
3oil dries out$ causin the remainin soil #2! becomes more 6 7 or hypertonic.
The plant lose #2! by osmosis & plasmolysis takes place.
Elaccid cells cannot provide support to the plants 0cause (iltin1
'iltin commonly occur in non=(oody & herbaceous plant 0turidity plays an
important role in supportin these plants1
The cytoplasm of a plant cell is not damaed by plasmolysis (ithin a short period.
The cell (ill promptly recover (hen #2! is available.
If the period of plasmolysis is proloned$ a (ilted plant (ill die.
b* 3oo preservation
Mushrooms$ fruits$ veetables & 5sh cn be preserved to last loner 0use natural
preservatives ) suar$ salt & vinear1
'hen salt:suar is added to the food$ it creates a hypertonic condition for the
microoranisms that spoil the food.
The hypertonic solution causes #2! to leave the food by osmosis & the
preservatives to enter the cell sap.
#2! passes out from the microoranisms into the concentrated solution. This
results in slo(er ro(th of the microoranisms or even death.
The dehydrated condition of the food as (ell as the presence of preservatives
prevent the ro(th of bac & funi (hich can spoil the food.