Exchange and Balance – Membranes & Transport
Membranes play a crucial role in cellular boundaries and transport mechanisms, providing the framework for both passive and active processes essential for maintaining homeostasis. Key elements such as phospholipids, sterols, and proteins contribute to the complex architecture of membranes, influencing their function in various biological contexts. The chapter covers essential topics from diffusion and osmosis to the implications of membrane technologies for global sustainability and water security.
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What we have learnt
- Cell membranes are selectively permeable barriers that regulate transport to maintain homeostasis.
- Diffusion and osmosis are vital processes, influenced by thermodynamics and membrane properties.
- Membrane technologies have significant applications in global water security and sustainability.
Key Concepts
- -- Cell Membrane
- The selectively permeable structure that encases a cell, facilitating transport and communication.
- -- Diffusion
- The passive movement of molecules from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration.
- -- Osmosis
- The diffusion of water across a selectively permeable membrane driven by differences in solute concentration.
- -- Active Transport
- The movement of substances across a membrane against their concentration gradient, requiring energy.
- -- Gibbs Free Energy
- A thermodynamic quantity used to predict the direction of chemical reactions and processes, including water movement across membranes.
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