3.4.1 The Movement of Substances Across the Plasma Membrane (Structured Question 1 & 2)


Question 1:
Diagram I and Diagram II show two different types of movement of substances across the plasma membrane.


(a) In Diagram I. label the following structures:
  • Phospholipid bilayer, with letter R
  • Carrier protein, with letter S [2 marks]



(b) State two characteristics of the phospholipid bilayer. [2 marks]

(c) Name the process of the movement of substances across the plasma membrane as shown in Diagram I and Diagram II. [2 marks]

(d)(i) Glucose molecules are transported across the plasma membrane into the cell through the process shown in Diagram I. Explain why. [2 marks]

(ii) If the substances in Diagram II are calcium ions, describe how they are transported into the cell. [4 marks]



Answer:
(a)

(b)

  1. It consists of hydrophilic heads and hydrophobic tails
  2. The hydrophilic heads are facing the exterior and the interior of the cell
  3. The bilayer is dynamic/ not static

(Choose any 2)


(c)
Process in Diagram I – Facilitated diffusion
Process in Diagram II – Active transport

(d)(i)

  • Glucose consists of uncharged large sized molecules which cannot pass through the phospholipid bilayer.
  • It needs a specific carrier protein to transport it across the phospholipid bilayer.

 

(d)(ii)

  • By active transport – The movement of calcium ions is against the concentration gradient
  • And it needs energy which is produced by cellular respiration ( in the form of ATP molecules)
  • Carrier proteins bind with the calcium ions and change their shape, thus carrying the ions across the plasma membrane.