Movement In & Out Of Cells

What is Diffusion ?
 Diffusion the net movement of particles from a region of their higher concentration to
a region of their lower concentration, down a concentration gradient, as a result of
their random movement
 Energy for diffusion comes from the kinetic energy of the random movement of
molecules and ions.

 Some substances move into and out of cells by diffusion through the cell membrane.

 Some substances move into and out of cells by diffusion through the cell membrane.

Diffusion in Living Organisms

 Solutes & Gasses ((such as CO2 and Oxygen) are able to move through cell
membrane. This is important as without it, molecules that are needed for life, for
example, glucose and oxygen for respiration, would not be able to get to the places
they are required. They move from higher concentration to lower concentration;
oxygen is high in concentration outside during respiration.

 Living organisms get many substances they need by diffusion, they also get rid of
waste products by diffusion. Ex- Plants needs co2 for photosynthesis, this diffuses
from air outside into leaves through stomata because there is lower concentration of
co2 inside the leaves as cells are using it. Hence it moves from a region of higher
concentration (outside cells) to lower concentration (inside cells) because of their
random movement.
 Oxygen, that is a waste product of photosynthesis diffuses out in same way. Higher
concentration of oxygen inside leaves as it is being made there, hence it diffuses
outside from a region of higher concentration (inside cells) to lower concentration
(outside cells) because of random movement.

Factors that influence diffusion (Passive Transport)

 Surface area
 The larger the surface area, the higher the rate of diffusion. This is because
more molecules at a given time will be diffusing.
 Temperature
 The higher the temperature, the higher the rate of diffusion. This is because
molecules are faster and have more kinetic energy with higher temperatures.
  Concentration gradients
 The higher the concentration gradient, the higher the rate of diffusion.
 Distance
 The shorter the distance, the higher the rate of diffusion.

Osmosis
 Osmosis is net movement of water molecules from a region of higher water potential
(dilute solution) to a region of lower water potential (concentrated solution), through a
partially permeable membrane.
 The cell membrane is partially permeable meaning it allows small molecules (like
water) to pass through but not larger molecules.
 Water is important for all living organisms as many substances are able to dissolve
in it (it is a solvent)

Osmosis in Plants & Animals.t

conc. of Solute (In- Conc. of Solute (Outside-

Condition of the Cell
Cell) Cell)

Cell Shrinks
Low High
(Flaccid/Hypertonic)

Same Same No Change (Isotonic)

High Low Turgid/Hypotonic

Osmosis In Plants
 When plant cells are placed in a solution that has a higher water potential (dilute
solution) than inside the cells (e.g. distilled water) then water moves into the plant
cells via osmosis

 These water molecules push the cell membrane against the cell wall, increasing
the turgor pressurein the cells which makes them turgid

 Increasing solute concentration inside the cell causes the cell to become turgid, and
the vacuole fills up. The cell wall can withstand the higher turgor pressure.
  When plant cells are placed in a concentrated solution (with a lower water potential
than inside the cells) water molecules will move out of the plant cells by osmosis,
making them flaccid.
 Decreasing solute concentration inside the cell causes the cell to become flaccid,
losing water, and the vacuole to get smaller. The cell body shrinks, pulling away from
the cell wall.
 the plant cells might be plasmolysed, meaning the cell membrane has pulled away
from the cell wall.

Plants are supported by the water pressure inside the cells pressing outwards on the cell
wall known as turgor pressure.
Turgor pressure- the pressure of the water pushing outwards on a plant cell wall.
Turgid- Plant that is tight and firm
Flaccid- plant that is soft
Plasmolysed- cell memebrane tears away from cell wall.

Explain the importance of water potential and osmosis in the uptake and
loss of water by organisms?
Water potential and osmosis are crucial for water uptake in plants. Water moves from the soil
(higher water potential) into the roots (lower water potential) through osmosis. This process
helps maintain turgor pressure, which supports plant structure and enables growth.
Additionally, it facilitates the transport of nutrients dissolved in water throughout the plant,
ensuring essential functions and overall health. Without proper water potential and osmosis,
plants would struggle to survive.
Osmosis In Animals
Animal cells in solutions of different concentrations
 If an animal cell is placed into a strong concentrated solution (with a lower water
potential than the cell), it will lose water by osmosis and cell shrinks.
 If an animal cell is placed into pure water (with a higher water potential than the
cell), it will gain water by osmosis and, as it has no cell wall to create turgor
pressure, hence the cell with swell and burst.

Active Transport
Active transport is the movement of particles through a cell membrane from a region of lower
concentration to a region of higher concentration (i.e. against a concentration gradient), using
energy from respiration.

Importance of Active Transport

 Energy is needed because particles are being moved against a concentration
gradient, in the opposite direction from which they would naturally move (by
diffusion)
 Active transport is vital process for the movement of molecules or ions across
membranes, which are necessary for healthy growth.
 Including:
 o uptake of glucose by epithelial cells in the villi of the small intestine and by
kidney tubules in the nephron
o uptake of ions from soil water by root hair cells in plants

Carrier Proteins
 Active transport works by using carrier proteins that are embedded in the cell
membrane to pick up specific molecules and take them through the cell membrane
against their concentration gradient:
 Substance combines with carrier protein molecule in the cell membrane
 Carrier transports substances across membrane using energy from respiration to
give them the kinetic energy needed to change shape and move the substance
through the cell membrane and Substance released into cell.