Membrane Motion

Question 1

Why is it important for a cell membrane to be selectively permeable?

Answer 1

It is important for a cell membrane to be selectively permeable because it has to be permeable (stuff can go through) sometimes and it has to be impermeable (nothing can go through) sometimes. It has to be permeable because it needs to be able to take in nutrients and food, but it can’t be totally permeable, though, because cells aren’t indestructible, and they can die if everything that comes near it goes into it, or if all the organelles leak out of the cell

Question 2

What is Diffusion?

Answer 2

Diffusion - the movement of particles from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration, balancing the “concentration gradient”, or the difference in concentration between areas

Question 3

What is Osmosis

Answer 3

Osmosis - the diffusion of water particles across a selectively permeable membrane from an area of higher water concentration to an area of lower water concentration, balancing out the concentration gradient

Question 4

What is Endocytosis

Answer 4

Endocytosis - the process by which a cell moves large amounts of material, or non-dissolved particles, into its cytoplasm from the outside environment

Question 5

What is Exocytosis

Answer 5

Exocytosis - the process by which large amounts of material or non-dissolved particles are moved from a cell’s cytoplasm to the outside environment, it’s basically cell pooping