CHAPTER 3:
MOVEMENT OF SUBSTANCES ARCOSS THE
PLASMA MEMBRANE
3.1 MOVEMENT ARCOSS
THE PLASMA MEMBRANE
3.1.1 The need for the movement of substances across
the plasma membrane:
(a) to obtain nutrients and gases
(b) to excrete metabolic waste
(c) to maintain a suitable PH and
ionic concentration within the cell for enzyme activity.
3.1.2 The structure of the
plasma membrane
1.
It
is called Fluid-mosaic model, introduced by Singer and Nicolson in 1972
2.
Plasma
membranes are composed mainly of phospholipids and proteins.
3.
The
phospholipids molecules arrange themselves in a layer of two molecules thick
which is called phospholipids bilayer.
4.
Each
phospholipid molecule has a polar head that gives it the hydrophilic property
(like water) and a pair of non-polar tails gives it the hydrophobic property
(dislike water)
5.
The
phospholipids bilayer acts as barrier which isolates the two sides of the
membranes.
6.
Phospholipids
bilayer also contains cholesterol that helps to stabilize and strengthen the
plasma membrane, making it more flexible but less permeable to water soluble
substances.
7.
Transport
proteins regulate the movement of the water soluble molecules and ions through
the plasma membrane.
8.
There
are two types of Transport proteins, ie channel proteins and carrier proteins.
9.
The
channel proteins have pore to allow particular molecules or ions to across the
plasma membrane; the carrier proteins act as carrier to take up specific
molecules on one side of the plasma membrane and release them on the other
side.
10. Why the plasma membrane
model is called the Fluid-mosaic model?
(a)
The
phospholipids bilayer, proteins and other components are not rigid or static,
this causes the membrane to have a ‘fluid’ characteristic
(b)
The
protein molecules float about in the phospholipids bilayer to form a mosaic
pattern.
3.1.3 The permeability of
the plasma membrane
1.
The
plasma membrane is semi-permeable or selectively permeable. This means that
some substances can move across the membrane freely while others cannot.
2.
Two
factors that determine whether a molecule can pass through the plasma membrane
or not: the size and the polarity of the molecules.
3.
Lipid-soluble
molecules such as fatty acids and glycerol can pass through phospholipids
bilayer freely.
4.
Non-polar
molecules such as oxygen and carbon dioxide can move through the phospholipids
bilayer with ease.
5.
Small
water-soluble molecules and ions pass through phospholipids bilayer by pore
proteins.
6.
Large
water-soluble molecules such as glucose and amino cannot pass through
phospholipids bilayer but carry by carrier proteins.
3.1.4 The movement of
substances across the plasma membrane: Passive Transport
1.
SIMPLE
DIFFUSION
(a)
Definition:
The movement of molecules or ions from a region of higher concentration to a
region of lower concentration, thus going down a concentration gradient until
an equilibrium is achieved.
(b)
Factors
affecting the rate of diffusion:
(i)
Surface
area between the two region:
--- the larger the surface area, the higher
the rate of diffusion
(ii)
Distances
over which diffusion occurs:
--- the shorter the distance over which
diffusion occurs, the higher the rate of the diffusion across it.
(iii)
Concentration
gradient:
--- the greater the difference in
concentration between two regions, the higher the rate of diffusion.
(iv) Size and nature of
the particles:
--- smaller particles diffuses faster than
larger particles.
(v)
Temperature:
--- at higher temperatures, the particles
have more kinetic energy to diffuse in higher rate.
(c)
Example:
Gaseous exchange in the alveoli and blood capillaries.
2.
OSMOSIS
(a)
Definition:
The movement of water molecules from a region of low solute concentration to a
region of high solute concentration (going down the concentration gradient of
water) through semi-permeable membrane.
(b)
Osmosis
is the diffusion of water only and NOT the substances that dissolved in water.
(c)
Example:
Absorption of water by root hairs in a plant
SIMILARITIES IN
SIMPLE DIFFUSION AND OSMOSIS
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DIFFERENCES BETWEEN
SIMPLE DIFFUSION AND OSMOSIS
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SIMPLE DIFFUSION
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OSMOSIS
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1.
FACILITATED
DIFUSSION
(a)
Definition:
The movement of hdydrophilic molecules or ions across the plasma membrane with
the help of transport proteins.
(b)
Channel
proteins provide a functional pore in membrane for the diffusion of ions.
(c)
Carrier
proteins pick up amino acids, glucose or small protein on one side and release
them on the other side. The relationship between the carrier protein and the
transport molecules is specific. For example, glucose molecules can only
combine with carrier proteins which are specific for glucose. This is because
the carrier proteins have binding sides that can combine reversibly with
specific molecules only.
(d)
Example:
Absorption of digested food in the villus
(e)
The
mechanism of facilitated diffusion with the aid of a carrier protein.
3.1.2 The movement of
substances across the plasma membrane: Active Transport
1.
Definition:
The movement of molecules or ions from a region of lower concentration to a
region of higher concentration (against the concentration gradient) across the
plasma membrane, with the use of cellular energy.
2.
Active
transport requires the use of carrier proteins and cellular energy to transport
molecules against the concentration gradient.
3.
Active
transport can only take place in living organism.
4.
Example:
Intake of mineral salts and ions by root hairs of a plant.
The mechanism of active transport for sodium ions.
SIMILARITIES IN
PASSIVE TRANSPORT AND ACTIVE TRANSPORT
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DIFFERENCES BETWEEN
PASSIVE TRANSPORT AND ACTIVE TRANSPORT
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PASSIVE TRANSPORT
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ACTIVE TRANSPORT
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3.1
MOVEMENT OF
SUBSTANCES ACROSS THE PLASMA MEMBRANE IN EVERYDAY LIFE.
3.2.1 Hypotonic, Isotonic
and Hypertonic
1.
When
a cell is surrounded by an external solution that is more dilute than the cytoplasm fluid or vacuole, the external
solution is said to be hypotonic to
the cell. A cell in hypotonic solution will gain water by osmosis.
2.
When
a cell is surrounded by an external solution that is more concentrate than the cytoplasm fluid or vacuole, the external
solution is said to be hypertonic to
the cell. A cell in hypertonic solution will lose water by osmosis.
3.
When
a cell is surrounded by an external solution that has the same concentration as the cytoplasm fluid or vacuole, the external
solution is said to be isotonic to
the cell. A cell in isotonic solution will not
gain or lose water by osmosis.
3.2.2 The effects and application of osmosis in
everyday life
1.
Wilting
in plants
(a)
Excessive
use of fertilizers
-
Excessive
fertilizers which dissolve in the soil water make the soil water more
concentrate than and hypertonic to the cell sap pf plant roots.
-
Water
diffuses from the cell sap into the soil by osmosis.
-
The
plasmolysed cells become flaccid and cause the plant to wilt.
-
The
plant will eventually die if water is not supply immediately.
(b)
Shortage
of water in soil
-
As
the soil dries up, the remaining soil water becomes more concentrated and
hypertonic to the cell sap pf plant roots.
-
The
plant loses water by osmosis, causing it to wilt.
2.
Food
preservation
-
Food
can be preserved by using salt, vinegar and sugar.
-
These
preservatives make the surrounding solution hypertonic to content of the food
-
The
hypertonic solution causes water to leave the food by osmosis and the
preservatives to enter the cell sap.
-
The
dehydrated condition of the food prevents the growth of bacteria and fungi
which can spoil the food.
3.2
APPRECIATING THE
MOVEMENT OF SUBSTANCES ACROSS THE PLASMA MEMBRANE
1.
The
movement of substances across the plasma membrane in a control manner is
important for the survival of the cell, because the plasma membrane :
(a)
act
as ‘gatekeeper’, regulating what goes in and out of the cell;
(b)
act
as barrier between the contents of the cell and the surrounding environment.
2.
How
to maintain the proper functioning of plasma membrane?
(a)
we
need to take good care of our food and water intake
(b)
drinking
sufficient water to hydrate body cells as regulate the osmotic pressure of the
blood.
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