Cell transport

guillefix 4th November 2016 at 2:43pm

Cell transport is movement of materials across cell membranes. Cell transport includes passive and active transport:

  • Passive transport does not require energy
  • Active transport requires energy to proceed.

Passive transport proceeds through (simple) diffusion, facilitated diffusion and osmosis.

Non-equilibrium statistical mechanics: from a paradigmatic model to biological transport

Passive transport

Simple diffusion

small non-polar molecules, like

  • Oxygen
  • Carbon dioxide

Facilitated diffusion

Large or polar molecules passing through membrane protein channels. Examples of molecules that need protein channels:

  • Charged ions
  • Glucose

Osmosis

Like water through aquaporins

Active transport

Requires energy, for e.g. in the form of ATP.

Ion channels

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ion_channel

Sodium-potassium pump

Endocytosis and exocytosis


Cell Transport

https://www.brightstorm.com/science/biology/cell-functions-and-processes/cell-transport/