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Understand the process & role of membrane bulk transport in cell function - for example, passive & active transport as well as pinocytosis & phagocytosis.

Question

Understand the process & role of membrane bulk transport in cell function

For example, passive & active transport as well as pinocytosis & phagocytosis.

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Solution

Sure, let's break down the process and role of membrane bulk transport in cell function.

  1. Passive Transport: This is a type of membrane transport that does not require energy. It relies on the inherent kinetic energy of particles for movement. There are three types of passive transport: diffusion, osmosis, and facilitated diffusion.

    • Diffusion: This is the movement of molecules from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration. It continues until the concentration of substances is uniform throughout.

    • Osmosis: This is a special type of diffusion where water molecules move across a semi-permeable membrane from an area of low solute concentration to an area of high solute concentration.

    • Facilitated Diffusion: This is the process of spontaneous passive transport of molecules or ions across a biological membrane via specific transmembrane integral proteins.

  2. Active Transport: Unlike passive transport, active transport requires energy because it is the movement of molecules against their concentration gradient. There are two types of active transport: primary and secondary.

    • Primary Active Transport: This directly uses energy to transport molecules across a membrane. Most of the enzymes that perform this type of transport are transmembrane ATPases.

    • Secondary Active Transport: This involves the use of an electrochemical gradient. Energy is used to generate the gradient, and it is the movement of ions down their gradient that is used to transport substances against their concentration gradient.

  3. Pinocytosis: This is a type of endocytosis, a process by which cells ingest extracellular fluid and its contents. It involves the formation of vesicles to bring substances into the cell. It is often referred to as "cell drinking".

  4. Phagocytosis: This is also a type of endocytosis, but it involves the ingestion of larger particles, such as bacteria or dead cell debris. It is often referred to as "cell eating". The cell engulfs the particle and forms a phagosome, which fuses with a lysosome to degrade the ingested material.

In summary, these processes are crucial for the cell to maintain its internal environment, communicate with other cells, and obtain nutrients.

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