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The plasma membrane uses several types of transport to regulate what enters and leaves the cell. Passive transport mechanisms like simple diffusion, facilitated diffusion, and osmosis allow substances to move passively down their concentration gradients without energy expenditure. Active transport requires energy and transports substances against their gradients, exemplified by the sodium-potassium pump. Bulk transport moves larger particles through endocytosis (including phagocytosis and pinocytosis) and exocytosis. Together these transport mechanisms maintain cellular homeostasis and function.

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242 views6 pages

Assignment

The plasma membrane uses several types of transport to regulate what enters and leaves the cell. Passive transport mechanisms like simple diffusion, facilitated diffusion, and osmosis allow substances to move passively down their concentration gradients without energy expenditure. Active transport requires energy and transports substances against their gradients, exemplified by the sodium-potassium pump. Bulk transport moves larger particles through endocytosis (including phagocytosis and pinocytosis) and exocytosis. Together these transport mechanisms maintain cellular homeostasis and function.

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sylvia anne
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© © All Rights Reserved
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INTRODUCTION

The plasma membrane is the edge of life, boundary that separates the living cell from non-
living surroundings. Plasma membrane, also known as cell membrane is found in all cells.
Cell membrane separates interior of the cell from the outside environment. Plasma
membranes allow certain substances to enter and leave, and prevent harmful materials from
entering and essential materials from leaving in other words, plasma membranes are
selectively permeable. So, for this function, plasma membrane involves cell transportation
such as passive transportation, active transportation and bulk transportation.

1.0 PASSIVE TRANSPORT

Passive transportation is a naturally occurring phenomenon and doesn’t exert any energy to
accomplish the movement down to its concentration gradient, where it moves from a high
concentration region to a low concentration region.

1.1 Simple diffusion

Simple diffusion is movement of substances from an area of higher concentration to a lower


concentration area with no assistance of proteins. The diffusion across plasma membrane
involves nonpolar or uncharged molecules like hydrocarbons and oxygen that are
hydrophobic that easily diffuse through hydrophobic lipid bilayer.

1.2 Facilitated Diffusion

Facilitated diffusion is a diffusion where the molecules move from higher concentration
region to lower concentration region assisted by transport proteins, channel protein and
carrier protein without the use of energy. Channel protein allows polar molecules and
charged ions such as Na+ which can’t diffuse across hydrophobic phospholipid. Whereas,
carrier protein alternates between two conformation by allowing larger polar molecules like
amino acid to diffuse across phospholipid bilayer.
1.3 Osmosis

Osmosis is spontaneous diffusion of solvent molecules through a selectively-permeable


membrane from higher water potential region to lower water potential region. The direction
and rate of osmosis depends on sum of two forces, pressure gradient ( Ѱp) and
concentration gradient ( Ѱs ). The gradient is determined by the difference in water potentials
of solutions separated by a semipermeable membrane.

2.0 ACTIVE TRANSPORT

Active transportation is a cellular transport where substances move against concentration


gradient where it moves from lower concentration area to higher concentration area. Hence,
expenditure of energy and assistance of protein are needed.

2.1 Sodium Potassium Pump

Example of active transport is the transportation of sodium out of cell and potassium into cell
by sodium-potassium pump.

First, three Na+ ions bind to cytoplasmic high-affinity binding sites. Next, ATP is hydrolyzed,
transferring a phosphate to the pump. The pump conformation changes, moving Na+ ions to
the extracellular side of the membrane. Lastly, Na+ ions dissociate.

This continues with two K+ ions bind to high-affinity extracellular sites. The bond linking
phosphate to the pump protein is hydralyzed, releasing inorganic phosphate. Then, the
pump conformation changes moving K+ ions to low-affinity cytoplasmic sites. At last, K+ ions
dissociate and the pump is ready for another cycle.

Sodium Potassium Pump is important as It plays an important role in contracting the cardiac
muscle, kidney function, and nerve signaling. The purpose of the sodium-potassium pump is
to maintain the proper concentration of potassium ions K+ and sodium ions Na+ inside and
outside of the cell.
3.0 BULK TRANSPORT

In other words, bulk transport is a type of transport which involves the transport of large
amount of substance like lipid droplets and solid food particles across plasma membrane by
utilising energy.

3.1 Endocytosis

Endocytosis means the process by which cell take in macromolecules and articulate matter
from outside of the cell by engulfing them in new vesicle. Endocytosis consists of two types
of process which are phagocytosis and pinocytosis.

3.1.1 Phagocytosis

Phagocytosis is a process where the cell engulfs a particle by extending pseudopodia


around it and packaging it into a large vacuole that contains contents that are digested when
it fuses with lysosome. First, the cell membrane forms pseudopodia that surrounds the
particle which will later be engulfed by the cell. Then, a phagosome which also means food
vacuole is formed and moves into the cytoplasm. Later it fuses with lysosome and hydrolytic
enzyme digests the food particle. Finally, the product is absorbed and the undigested
content is released through exocytosis.

3.1.2 Pinocytosis

Pinocytosis is a process by which the cell takes in the fluids along with dissolved small
molecules. First and foremost, the cell membrane invaginates enclosing the extracellular
fluid. Then, a vesicle containing droplets of extracellular fluid is formed. The liquid contents
of the vesicle are absorbed into the cytosol. The vesicle pinches off, bringing its contents
inside the cell.

3.2 Exocytosis

Exocytosis is defined as a process that transport substances out of a cell. First, a vesicle
moves to the membrane. The two membranes fuses. Then, the contents of the vesicle is
spilled to the outside. The vesicle’s membrane becomes part of plasma membrane. For an
example, the secretion of insulin from pancreatic cells and the release of neurotransmitter In
neuron.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion,

In conclusion the cell membrane is the most important part of a cell because it provides
protects the internal environment of the cell from harmful substances of molecules that are
too large to enter the cell. Membrane transport is essential for cellular life. As cells proceed
through their life cycle, a vast amount of exchange is necessary to maintain function.
Transport may involve the incorporation of biological molecules and the discharge of waste
products that are necessary for normal function.

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