Transport across membranes

Diffusion is the net passive movement of particles (atoms, ions or molecules) from a region in which they are in higher concentration to regions of lower concentration. It continues until the concentration of substances is uniform throughout. Osmosis is a special example of diffusion. It is the diffusion of water through a partially permeable membrane from a more dilute solution to a more concentrated solution – down the water potential gradient) Note: diffusion and osmosis are both passive, i.e. energy from ATP is not used. A partially permeable membrane is a barrier that permits the passage of some substances but not others; it allows the passage of the solvent molecules but not some of the larger solute molecules. Cell membranes are described as selectively permeable because not only do they allow the passage of water but also allow the passage of certain solutes. The presence of particular solutes stimulates the membrane to open specific channels or trigger active transport mechanisms to allow the passage of those chemicals across the membrane. Active transport is the energy-demanding transfer of a substance across a cell membrane against its concentration gradient, i.e., from lower concentration to higher concentration. Special proteins within the cell membrane act as specific protein ‘carriers’. The energy for active transport comes from ATP generated by respiration (in mitochondria).