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Man is even as steel, the essence of which is hidden: through admonition and explanation, good counsel and education,

that essence will be brought to light. If, however, he be allowed to remain in his original condition, the corrosion of lusts and appetites will effectively destroy him. SPM Biology Form 4 Terminology and Concepts: Movement of Substances Across the Plasma Membrane (Part 1) The plasma membrane is a membrane of biological nature which forms the barrier between the interior of a cell against external environment. However, do not just think of it as a layer which do not have any function. Typically, movement of substances to and from cells to outer environment is controlled (due to its permeability) by the plasma membrane. The key concept here for this topic is to understand the selective-permeability nature of a plasma membrane. The rest of the topic are rather easy and intuitive. Do note that plasma membrane is also known as cell membrane and plasmalemma.

1. Uniqueness of Plasma Membrane (also known as cell membrane):


it is a semi-permeable cell membrane it allows water and certain substances to move in and out of the cell.

2. Importance of Plasma Membrane:


- cells obtain nutrients and gases cells excrete metabolic wastes cells can maintain pH for enzyme activity cells can maintain ionic concentration of the cells for enzyme activity control the types and the amount of substances allow useful substance (hormones/enzymes) to secrete from cells protect cells a boundary between the inside and outside of cell.

3. Structure of the basic unit of plasma membrane

Phospholipid molecule: Head hydrophilic: a polar phosphate molecule (philic~loves water / attracted to water) Tail hydrophobic: two non-polar fatty acids (phobic~hates water / repelled to water) Formation: Hydrophilic heads pointing outwards Hydrophobic tails pointing inwards (Bilayer phospolipid)

Fluid Mosaic Model (Protein embedded in the bilayer) Carrier protein

carrier for some molecules (glucose, amino acids, proteins and nucleic acids) controls the movement of ions and particles (Na+, Ca2+ and K+) Glycoprotein

Glycolipid

combination of lipids and polysaccharides

4. Permeability Permeable (allow to pass through)

small non-polar molecules (vitamins A, D, E, K, fatty acids, glycerol and steroids)

Impermeable (not allow to pass through but with help of carrier protein and cellular energy, it is allow to pass through)

large polar molecules (glucose, amino acids, mucleic acids and polysaccharides) charged ions (H+, Na+, K+, Cl- and Ca2+)

Substances that are allowed to move in the cell:


CO2 O2 excess H2O waste: nitrogenous

Substances that are allowed to move out of the cell:


CO2 O2 amino acids ionic salts glucose

SPM Biology Form 4 Terminology and Concepts: Movement of Substances Across the Plasma Membrane (Part 2)

Materials must be able to move through the plasma membrane in order for the cell cytoplasma to interact with the external environment. Therefore, the movement of soluble substances can occur in several mechanisms:

A. Process of Passive Transport B. Process of Active Transport

A. Passive Transport

i) Simple Diffusion

not selective: lipid-soluble molecules, gases and water. not control by cell. movement of the molecules from a region of higher concentration to a region of lower concentration. Factors affecting the rate of diffusion are temperature, surface area , diffusion gradient or concentration gradient, size of molecules/ions and diffusion medium.

example: diffusion of oxygen and carbon dioxide at the alveolus.

ii) Osmosis:

only water molecules. not control by cell. movement of water from a region of higher concentration to one of lower concentration and often occurs across a semipermeable membrane. strong sucrose solution = less water molecule = low water potential. weak sucrose solution = more water molecule = high water potential. example: absorption of water by root hairs.

iii) Facilitated Diffusion:


very specific: glucose, nucleic aicds, amino acids, protein and mineral ions. control by cell. transport of molecules (only certain molecules) across the outer membrane of living cell by a process of carrier protein (hydrophilic group) / channel protein (Ions: Na+, Ca2+, K+) within the cell membrane. normally take place from a region with higher concentration of molecules to a region of lower concentration. example: absorption of digested food in the villus.

B. Process of Active Transport


very specific: minerals ions and amino acids. control by cell. This process needs carrier proteins and energy (due to against concentration gradient) from a region of lower concentration to a region of higher concentration). Cell must expend energy that derived from ATP (adenosine triphosphate) example: human nerve cells (sodium ions are constantly transport out of the cell) / ions intake by root hairs of a plant.

SPM Form 4 Terminology and Concepts: Movement of Substances Across the Plasma Membrane (Part 3 Final)

Type of Solution 1. Hypotonic 2. Isotonic 3. Hypertonic 1) Hypotonic


Solute concentration in the external solution is lesser than solute concentration inside the cell. Water concentration outside the cell is higher than the water concentration inside the cell.

2) Isotonic

Solute concentration in the external solution is equal to the solute concentration inside the cell. Water concentration inside and outside of the cell is the same.

3) Hypertonic

Solute concentration in the external solution is greater than solute concentration inside the cell. Water concentration outside the cell is lower than the water concentration inside the cell.

Types of solutions: Type of Solution Animal Cell Hypotonic Isotonic Hypertonic

The cell inflates due to No change in the The cell shrinks and the water molecules enter size of cell. Net becomes soft and the cell. Eventually it movement of dehydrated due to the bursts (thin plama water is water molecule leave membrane). Example: red zero. Example: the cell. Example: red blood cell in distilled red blood cell in blood cell in 5% sodium water. 0.85% sucrose chloride solution. solution. Plant Cell The cell expands and No change in the The cell becomes becomes firm / turgid due size of cell. Net flaccid (plasmolysis to the water molecules movement of occurs), vacuole and enter the cell. The rigid water is cytoplasma shrink due cellulose cell wall zero. Example: to the water molecules expands slightly and strip of potato in leave the cell. Example: prevents cell from 5% sucrose strip of potato in 30% bursting. Example: strip solution. sucrose solution. of potato in distilled water. Application 1. Food is soaked in a concentrated salt solution to prevent bacteria and fungus to survive. 2. Chemical fertiliser (dissolved ions) increases solute concentration (decrease water molecules) in soil. Therefore, water leaves from the cell sap of the plant which result the plant wither.

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