1.
For a cell to be able to live, there must be communication (=transport) between the intracellular fluid (=the cytoplasm) and the extracellular fluid (= interstitial fluid).

2.
Some of these transports are passive and do not require energy. Other transport systems are more complicated and require energy (= ATP).

3.
These are the 4 major passive transport systems:
  1. Diffusion
  2. facilitated diffusion
  3. osmosis
  4. filtration

4.
These are the 3 major active transport systems:
  1. pumps (co-transporters, etc.)
  2. exocytosis / endocytosis
  3. phagocytosis

1.
Diffusion is the process whereby something soluble that is placed in water is ‘automatically’ distributed, dissolved, in that water.

2.
The classic example is a drop of ink that is dropped in a glass of water. If you wait long enough, the ink will be dispersed throughout the water.

3.
The same is true for sugar, aspirin, oxygen etc. as long as this material can be dissolved in water. If it can not be dissolved then of course diffusion will not take place

4.
Diffusion takes place because of the Brownian movements of the particles. (Brownian movements are caused by the kinetic energy stored in every particle). (Q:

1.
In the body, diffusion occurs all the time across the cell membranes. This will occur if the concentration of something (=the solute) is higher at one side of the membrane than at the other side, AND if the membrane is permeable for that something.

2.
For example, oxygen, dissolved in water, can easily cross the membrane. Usually, the oxygen concentration outside the cell is higher outside than inside the cell (because it is used by the cell).

3.
So, if there is a concentration difference for oxygen, then oxygen will diffuse through the membrane and transport itself, automatically, into the cell. This does not require energy.

4.
The same thing happens in the opposite direction with the combustion of oxygen; carbon dioxide. This molecule is formed inside the cell (by converting oxygen) and will diffuse out of the cell into the extracellular space.

5.
Increasing the temperature will increase the movements of the particles and this will speed up the diffusion.

6.
The higher the difference in concentration, the quicker the diffusion takes place.

1.
This type of diffusion is performed by special carrier proteins located in the membrane of the cell.

2.
So, the membrane, in principle, is not permeable for these molecules but still, they are carried through the membrane by these special carriers

3.
A famous example of facilitated diffusion is the transport of glucose (=sugar) into the cell.

4.
Glucose is too big to diffuse through the membrane.

5.
But there is a special carrier in the membrane that can transport glucose, free of energy.

6.
This carrier is specific for glucose; it cannot transport anything else.

7.
The carrier can transport in both directions; in or out of the cell, depending on the concentration gradient for glucose.

8.
But usually, glucose is used (=metabolized) in the cell so the concentration inside is lower, so the transport is usually from outside into the cell.

1.
When a glucose molecule comes in contact with this carrier, the glucose will couple (=attach) to the carrier

2.
This coupling will change the shape (= the configuration) of the carrier.

3.
This configuration change makes it possible for the glucose to ‘diffuse’ to the other side of the membrane.

4.
Once the glucose has reached the other side of the carrier, it is released, into the cell and the carrier is free to transport another glucose molecule.

1.
Similarities:
  1. no energy required
  2. concentration dependent
  3. bi-directional

2.
Differences:
  1. saturation
  2. specificity

3.
The similarities are obvious if you have studied diffusion (bi-directional means the molecule can go either way; in or out of the cell)

4.
Saturation means that there is a maximum to the amount that can be transported. This is reached when all the available carrier molecules are occupied.

5.
In normal diffusion, there is no saturation, and the process can go on as long as possible, as long as there is a concentration gradient

6.
Specificity means that a particular carrier can only transport a particular molecule, such as glucose, and not something else.

7.
Example of facilitated diffusion is transport of glucose, as discussed, in all body cells essentially, but especially in the brain. Also amino acids can be transported in this way through the cellular membrane.

8.
Another example of facilitated diffusion occurs in the kidney when sodium is reabsorbed. This is also done by facilitated diffusion.

1.
A special type of diffusion, which also does not require energy, is diffusion of water, a process that is called osmosis.

2.
Osmosis takes place across a membrane. This membrane is permeable for water (as usual) but NOT permeable for a solute (a substance that is dissolved in water). We call this a semi-permeable membrane (not permeable for the solute but permeable for water).

3.
If, in that situation, there is a concentration difference of the solute, then there is also a concentration difference for water.

4.
In the diagram (A), there is more solute (blue) to the right then to the left of the membrane. But this solute can Not pass the membrane whereas water can.

9.
This pressure increase will cause the water molecules to move to the left (red arrow)

10.
In other words, a concentration gradient to the right is causing an opposite pressure gradient towards the left. As soon as the pressure gradient is equal (but opposite) to the concentration gradient, this system (osmosis) has become stable (indicated by the blue and red arrows).

1.
A well-known demonstration of the effects of osmosis is the behavior of red blood cells in a water solution.

2.
Like all other cells, the red blood cells (=erythrocytes) have a plasma membrane that is permeable for water but not permeable for many molecules (such as salt, hemoglobin etc.).

3.
If the red blood cell is placed in a solution that contains less non-permeable particles than in the cell, then water will go into the cell; the cell will expand.

4.
The solution that contains less non-permeable solute is called: ‘hypotonic’. If the solution contains the same amount of solute, then the solution is called ‘isotonic’ (iso=equal; tonic=tone).

5.
If the difference is too big, for example if there is no solute at all in the environment, then the cell may blow itself up, break and burst (=lysis).

6.
The opposite can also happen. If the red blood cell is place in a solution that has too much salt (=hypertonic), then water will move out of the cell; the red blood cell will then shrink!

1.
In filtration, there is a pressure difference between one side of the membrane or barrier and the other side.

2.
Because of this pressure difference, water will flow from the region of high pressure to that of low pressure, assuming that the barrier is permeable to water.

3.
Filtration occurs in many parts of the body, but especially in the transport of plasma through capillaries, in the kidneys (formation of urine) and in the lungs.