AP Biology Flashcards: Membrane Transport

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on Membrane Transport, giving you a quick way to review the definitions, rules, and examples that matter most for AP Biology.

How to use these flashcards

Work through these flashcards in short sessions. Try to answer each prompt before flipping the card, then revisit any cards you miss until the explanation feels automatic.

Flashcard 1: Identify the effect of a hypertonic solution on a cell.

Answer: The cell will lose water and shrink. Higher solute concentration outside causes water loss.

Flashcard 2: What is the primary structural component of cell membranes?

Answer: Phospholipid bilayer. Forms the basic structural framework of membranes.

Flashcard 3: Identify the role of glycolipids in the cell membrane.

Answer: To provide cellular recognition. Sugar chains help identify cell types and functions.

Flashcard 4: What is meant by 'fluid mosaic model'?

Answer: A model describing the cell membrane's structure. Phospholipids form fluid matrix with embedded proteins.

Flashcard 5: What effect does temperature have on diffusion rate?

Answer: Higher temperature increases diffusion rate. Increased kinetic energy accelerates molecular movement.

Flashcard 6: Identify the effect of a hypertonic solution on a cell.

Answer: The cell will lose water and shrink. Higher solute concentration outside causes water loss.

Flashcard 7: What is antiport?

Answer: Transport of two substances in opposite directions. Exchange transport using the same carrier protein.

Flashcard 8: What is the term for the movement of ions across a membrane using proteins?

Answer: Ion channel transport. Protein channels allow selective ion passage.

Flashcard 9: What is the role of carrier proteins in membrane transport?

Answer: To assist in the transport of substances across the membrane. Bind and transport specific molecules across membranes.

Flashcard 10: Name the type of transport that uses protein channels.

Answer: Facilitated diffusion. Passive transport requiring specific membrane proteins.

Flashcard 11: What is the function of integral proteins in the cell membrane?

Answer: To transport substances and act as receptors. Span membrane providing transport and signaling functions.

Flashcard 12: What is the primary function of the cell membrane?

Answer: To regulate the passage of substances into and out of the cell. Controls what enters/exits to maintain cellular homeostasis.

Flashcard 13: State the term for the movement of molecules from high to low concentration.

Answer: Diffusion. Net movement occurs until equilibrium is reached.

Flashcard 14: What is the role of peripheral proteins in the cell membrane?

Answer: To support cell shape and function in signaling. Attached to membrane surface providing structural support.

Flashcard 15: Identify the role of glycolipids in the cell membrane.

Answer: To provide cellular recognition. Sugar chains help identify cell types and functions.

Flashcard 16: Identify the type of transport that involves vesicles.

Answer: Bulk transport. Moves large quantities of materials using membrane vesicles.

Flashcard 17: State the role of cholesterol in the cell membrane.

Answer: To maintain membrane fluidity and stability. Regulates membrane flexibility at different temperatures.

Flashcard 18: Which type of transport is exemplified by the sodium-glucose transport protein?

Answer: Cotransport. Uses sodium gradient to transport glucose simultaneously.

Flashcard 19: What determines the direction of osmosis?

Answer: The water concentration gradient. Water moves from high to low water concentration.

Flashcard 20: Which cellular process involves the release of substances outside the cell?

Answer: Exocytosis. Vesicle fusion releases contents to external environment.

Flashcard 21: Identify the type of transport that involves receptor-mediated endocytosis.

Answer: Specific uptake of molecules. Targets specific molecules using receptor binding.

Flashcard 22: Identify the molecule that provides energy for active transport.

Answer: ATP (adenosine triphosphate). Energy currency that powers cellular work processes.

Flashcard 23: Identify the term for transport that moves two substances in the same direction.

Answer: Symport. Coupled transport utilizing same carrier protein.

Flashcard 24: What is the reverse process of endocytosis?

Answer: Exocytosis. Removes cellular waste and secretes products outside.

Flashcard 25: State the role of cholesterol in the cell membrane.

Answer: To maintain membrane fluidity and stability. Regulates membrane flexibility at different temperatures.

Flashcard 26: Identify the type of transport that requires energy.

Answer: Active transport. Moves substances against gradients using cellular energy.

Flashcard 27: What is the function of integral proteins in the cell membrane?

Answer: To transport substances and act as receptors. Span membrane providing transport and signaling functions.

Flashcard 28: What is the primary driving force for diffusion?

Answer: Concentration gradient. Difference in solute concentration creates driving force.

Flashcard 29: Which process is characterized by the engulfing of liquids?

Answer: Pinocytosis. Cell drinking process for nutrient uptake.

Flashcard 30: Which type of transport is driven by a concentration gradient?

Answer: Passive transport. Movement follows natural concentration differences.

Flashcard 31: Identify the process where cells engulf particles.

Answer: Endocytosis. Bulk transport bringing materials into the cell.

Flashcard 32: Which type of transport is exemplified by the sodium-glucose transport protein?

Answer: Cotransport. Uses sodium gradient to transport glucose simultaneously.

Flashcard 33: Which component of the cell membrane is involved in signal transduction?

Answer: Receptor proteins. Detect and respond to external chemical signals.

Flashcard 34: Which type of transport involves movement down a concentration gradient?

Answer: Passive transport. No energy required as molecules move naturally down gradients.

Flashcard 35: Identify the factor that affects membrane fluidity.

Answer: Lipid composition. Fatty acid saturation determines membrane flexibility.

Flashcard 36: What determines the direction of osmosis?

Answer: The water concentration gradient. Water moves from high to low water concentration.

Flashcard 37: What is the primary driving force for diffusion?

Answer: Concentration gradient. Difference in solute concentration creates driving force.

Flashcard 38: What happens to a cell in a hypotonic solution?

Answer: The cell will gain water and swell. Lower solute concentration outside causes water influx.

Flashcard 39: State the function of aquaporins in cells.

Answer: To facilitate water transport across membranes. Specialized water channels for rapid water movement.

Flashcard 40: What is osmosis?

Answer: The diffusion of water across a selectively permeable membrane. Specific type of diffusion involving only water molecules.

Flashcard 41: Name the type of transport that uses protein channels.

Answer: Facilitated diffusion. Passive transport requiring specific membrane proteins.

Flashcard 42: Which structure in the cell membrane acts as a barrier to ions?

Answer: Phospholipid bilayer. Hydrophobic core prevents charged particle passage.

Flashcard 43: What is meant by 'fluid mosaic model'?

Answer: A model describing the cell membrane's structure. Phospholipids form fluid matrix with embedded proteins.

Flashcard 44: Which term describes the cell membrane's selective permeability?

Answer: Semi-permeable. Allows some substances through while blocking others.

Flashcard 45: Which cellular process involves the release of substances outside the cell?

Answer: Exocytosis. Vesicle fusion releases contents to external environment.

Flashcard 46: Which term describes the cell membrane's selective permeability?

Answer: Semi-permeable. Allows some substances through while blocking others.

Flashcard 47: State the role of glycoproteins in the cell membrane.

Answer: To facilitate cell-cell recognition and signaling. Carbohydrate-protein complexes enable cellular communication.

Flashcard 48: Identify the type of transport that involves vesicles.

Answer: Bulk transport. Moves large quantities of materials using membrane vesicles.

Flashcard 49: What happens to a cell in a hypotonic solution?

Answer: The cell will gain water and swell. Lower solute concentration outside causes water influx.

Flashcard 50: Identify the type of transport that requires energy.

Answer: Active transport. Moves substances against gradients using cellular energy.

Flashcard 51: What is the reverse process of endocytosis?

Answer: Exocytosis. Removes cellular waste and secretes products outside.

Flashcard 52: Which type of transport is driven by a concentration gradient?

Answer: Passive transport. Movement follows natural concentration differences.

Flashcard 53: Identify the term for transport that moves two substances in the same direction.

Answer: Symport. Coupled transport utilizing same carrier protein.

Flashcard 54: State the function of aquaporins in cells.

Answer: To facilitate water transport across membranes. Specialized water channels for rapid water movement.

Flashcard 55: What effect does temperature have on diffusion rate?

Answer: Higher temperature increases diffusion rate. Increased kinetic energy accelerates molecular movement.

Flashcard 56: What is the term for the movement of ions across a membrane using proteins?

Answer: Ion channel transport. Protein channels allow selective ion passage.

Flashcard 57: What is osmosis?

Answer: The diffusion of water across a selectively permeable membrane. Specific type of diffusion involving only water molecules.

Flashcard 58: Identify the factor that affects membrane fluidity.

Answer: Lipid composition. Fatty acid saturation determines membrane flexibility.

Flashcard 59: Identify the term for the pressure exerted by water in a solution.

Answer: Osmotic pressure. Force created by water's tendency to move.

Flashcard 60: Which structure in the cell membrane acts as a barrier to ions?

Answer: Phospholipid bilayer. Hydrophobic core prevents charged particle passage.

Flashcard 61: Which type of transport is used by glucose to enter cells?

Answer: Facilitated diffusion. Large polar molecule requires protein assistance to cross.

Flashcard 62: Define isotonic solution in terms of cell environment.

Answer: A solution where solute concentration is equal inside and outside the cell. No net water movement occurs in balanced conditions.

Flashcard 63: Identify the term for the pressure exerted by water in a solution.

Answer: Osmotic pressure. Force created by water's tendency to move.

Flashcard 64: Define isotonic solution in terms of cell environment.

Answer: A solution where solute concentration is equal inside and outside the cell. No net water movement occurs in balanced conditions.

Flashcard 65: What is the role of peripheral proteins in the cell membrane?

Answer: To support cell shape and function in signaling. Attached to membrane surface providing structural support.

Flashcard 66: Identify the molecule that provides energy for active transport.

Answer: ATP (adenosine triphosphate). Energy currency that powers cellular work processes.

Flashcard 67: Identify the process where cells engulf particles.

Answer: Endocytosis. Bulk transport bringing materials into the cell.

Flashcard 68: Identify the type of transport that involves receptor-mediated endocytosis.

Answer: Specific uptake of molecules. Targets specific molecules using receptor binding.

Flashcard 69: State the role of glycoproteins in the cell membrane.

Answer: To facilitate cell-cell recognition and signaling. Carbohydrate-protein complexes enable cellular communication.

Flashcard 70: Which type of transport involves movement down a concentration gradient?

Answer: Passive transport. No energy required as molecules move naturally down gradients.

Flashcard 71: Which process is characterized by the engulfing of liquids?

Answer: Pinocytosis. Cell drinking process for nutrient uptake.

Flashcard 72: What is the role of carrier proteins in membrane transport?

Answer: To assist in the transport of substances across the membrane. Bind and transport specific molecules across membranes.

Flashcard 73: Which type of transport is used by glucose to enter cells?

Answer: Facilitated diffusion. Large polar molecule requires protein assistance to cross.

Flashcard 74: Which component of the cell membrane is involved in signal transduction?

Answer: Receptor proteins. Detect and respond to external chemical signals.

Flashcard 75: State the term for the movement of molecules from high to low concentration.

Answer: Diffusion. Net movement occurs until equilibrium is reached.