Page 1: Transport Mechanisms in Cells

The page explores fundamental cellular transport processes, focusing on diffusion and its role in living systems. The text details how substances move across cell membranes and the factors affecting transport rates.

Definition: Diffusion is the net movement of particles from an area of high concentration to low concentration until equilibrium is reached.

Example: During photosynthesis, CO₂ diffuses into leaves through stomata, where palisade cells utilize it. The lower CO₂ concentration inside the leaf creates a concentration gradient.

Highlight: The rate of diffusion can be enhanced by:

• Increasing surface area
• Decreasing particle travel distance
• Increasing concentration gradient

Vocabulary: Partially permeable membranes are cell structures that allow some particles to pass through while blocking others.

The text explains how osmosis process in plant cells works, defining it as water movement from dilute to concentrated solutions through a partially permeable membrane. It also introduces the concept of water potential and its importance in cellular processes.