In: Anatomy and Physiology
Cell transport
It is the process of movement of substances across the cell membrane in or out of the cell. The substance moves across the cell membrane. Cell transport is one of the important characters of cell. The transport process is observed through plasma membrane. The semipermeable nature of plasma membrane allows only selective molecules to enter inside the cell. This phenomenon allows the cell to control the process of transport. Thus, the membrane is associated with maintenance of homeostasis inside the cell. The cell membrane comprises of specialized proteins that are responsible to pump ions or molecules. There are four types of transport mechanisms.
1. Simple/ Passive diffusion: In this process a substance moves from higher to lower concentration without involvement of energy.
2. Facilitated diffusion: It involves association of transport proteins to carry molecules in and out of the cell.
3. Active transport: In this process energy in form of ATP is used to transport molecules across the cells.
4. Endocytosis: It involves engulfment of solid as well as liquid particles.