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Osmosis, Diffusion and Active Transport - Handout 10 Pool C

The document explains three key processes: diffusion, osmosis, and active transport. Diffusion is the passive movement of molecules from high to low concentration, while osmosis specifically refers to the movement of water across a semi-permeable membrane. Active transport requires energy to move substances against their concentration gradient, utilizing specialized proteins.

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11 views4 pages

Osmosis, Diffusion and Active Transport - Handout 10 Pool C

The document explains three key processes: diffusion, osmosis, and active transport. Diffusion is the passive movement of molecules from high to low concentration, while osmosis specifically refers to the movement of water across a semi-permeable membrane. Active transport requires energy to move substances against their concentration gradient, utilizing specialized proteins.

Uploaded by

0.0rushelle0.0
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Osmosis, Diffusion, Active Transport – Handout

Diffusion

Definition:

Diffusion is the movement of molecules from an area of high concentration to an area of low
concentration until equilibrium is reached. It does not require energy.

Key Characteristics:

 Passive process: No energy (ATP) is needed.


 Occurs due to random molecular motion.
 Moves substances down the concentration gradient.

Examples:

 Oxygen diffuses from the lungs into the blood because oxygen concentration is higher in
the alveoli than in the bloodstream. Oxygen from the air in the lungs diffuses into the
blood, while carbon dioxide from the blood diffuses into the air in the lungs.
 Carbon dioxide diffuses from cells into the blood for removal.

Diagram:
2. Osmosis

Definition:

Osmosis is the movement of water molecules across a semi-permeable membrane from an area
of low solute concentration to an area of high solute concentration.

Key Characteristics:

 A specific type of diffusion, involving water only.


 Semi-permeable membranes allow water but not solutes to pass through.

Effects on Cells:

1. Hypotonic Solution: Water enters the cell, causing it to swell or even burst (lysis in
animal cells; turgidity in plant cells).
2. Hypertonic Solution: Water leaves the cell, causing it to shrink (crenation in animal
cells; plasmolysis in plant cells).
3. Isotonic Solution: No net water movement; the cell maintains its shape.

Examples:

 Plant roots absorbing water from the soil.


 Red blood cells maintain shape in isotonic saline.

Diagram:
3. Active Transport

Definition:

Active transport is the movement of molecules or ions across a membrane from an area of low
concentration to high concentration, against the concentration gradient. This process requires
energy (ATP).

Key Characteristics:

 Active process: Requires ATP.


 Uses specialized proteins (pumps) in the membrane.
 Moves substances against the concentration gradient.

Importance

 Mineral ions move from the soil into plant roots by active transport.
 Sugars produced in photosynthesis move into the phloem in leaves by active transport.
 Some of the glucose and amino acids produced in digestion are absorbed from the ileum
into the blood by active transport.
 Useful substances are reabsorbed from the filtrate in the kidney tubules into the blood by
active transport.

Examples:

 Sodium-potassium pump: Moves sodium ions out of and potassium ions into nerve cells,
critical for nerve impulse transmission.
 Absorption of minerals like nitrate ions into plant roots from the soil.

Diagram:

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