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Cell Membrane and Transport Unit Cover Page
(see guidelines on page 27)
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Cell Membrane and Transport Unit Front Page
At the end of this unit I will:
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Be able to classify the categories of organic compounds
Identify the difference between organic and inorganic compounds, and the elements
essential to life.
Describe how organic compounds are separated and formed.
Define lipids and explain the functions of three lipid polymers.
Identify the monomers that build each of the lipid polymers.
Explain, draw, and label the structure and function of the plasma membrane.
Describe the similarities and differences between the active and passive transport systems
of membranes and classify the various types of transport.
Know the function of different types of membrane proteins.
Explain tonicity and how it affects the movement of water in osmosis.
Roots, Prefixes, and Suffixes I will understand are:
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Biochemistry: carbo-, hydro-, mono-, poly-, -synthesis
Lipids and Phospholipids: phospho-, tri-, -philia, -phobia, -glycerine
Cell Membrane and Transport: permeo-, iso-, hyper-, hypo-, endo-, exo-, -lysis, -tonic
The terms I can clearly define are:
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Biochemistry: Carbohydrate, Protein, Nucleic acid, Lipid, Dehydration synthesis,
Polymerization, Hydrolysis, Organic Compounds, Inorganic Compounds, Monomers,
Polymers
Lipids and Phospholipids: Phospholipid, Triglyceride, Sterol, Hydrophilic, Hydrophobic
Cell Membrane and Transport: Selective Permeability, Fluid-Mosaic Model, Isotonic,
Hypertonic, Hypotonic, Passive Transport, Active Transport, Diffusion, Osmosis, Facilitated
Diffusion, Protein Pump, Endocytosis, Exocytosis, Concentration Gradient, Plasmolysis,
Marker Proteins, Channel Proteins
The assignments I will have completed by the end of this unit are:
 Biochemistry, Lipids, and Phospholipids notes (pages 154 - 157)
 Checking for Understanding Lipids/Phospholipids (pages 158 - 159)
 Cell Membrane & Transport Notes (pages 160 - 163)
 Crossing the Membrane (page 170)
 Different Types of Solutions (page 168)
 Real Life Application of Cell Transport (page 174)
 Egg Osmosis Demo (pages 172 - 173)
 Plasmolysis Lab (pages 175 - 177)
 Cell Membrane Study Guide (pages 178 – 181)
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Organic Compounds
What elements make up Lipids? ________, ________, and _________
What are the functions of Lipids?
_______________________
Lipids
What indicator would one use to test for the presence of Lipids?
__________________
Lipids
Proteins
Carbohydrates Nucleic Acids
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Polymerization
:
A bond is formed and a water molecule is lost (removal of a water molecule to form a new bond).
:
A bond is broken when a water molecule is added.
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Introduction to Biochemistry Notes
What is
biochemistry?
What elements are
essential to life?
Organic compounds contain high numbers of ________________ bonded to
What is the difference
_______________________.
between organic and
inorganic chemistry?
Organic compounds are usually biological in origin, while inorganic compounds
are minerals, salts, or metals.
Why is carbon
A carbon atom can create short, strong, and stable bonds with ________ other
considered the
atoms.
“element of life”?
This allows carbon to form chains, rings, branches, and isomers.
1. C
What are the four
2. L
categories of organic
3. P
compounds?
4. N
How are organic
Organic compounds are formed and separated in similar ways
compounds formed
1.
Formation (Polymerization):___________________________________
and separated?
2.
Separation: ________________________________________________
What is
The forming of large organic ________________________________ by the
polymerization?
joining of smaller repeating subunits called ___________________________.
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Lipids & Phospholipids Notes
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Lipids & Phospholipids Notes
What is a lipid?
A lipid is any molecule that DOES ________ mix with water.
They are ____________________________ (hydrophobic)
What are the
functions of lipids?
Lipids function in:
– ___________________ (E) storage
– and as chemical messengers
ex. ____________________________________
– forming _________________________________________
What elements are
they made of?
Made up mostly of C_____________ and H______________ (with a few
O________________)
Name the three
polymers of lipids and
their monomer
composition.
1. Fats (Triglycerides)
 Monomers: ___________ + 3 ___________ ____________
 Fatty acids w/no double bonds = _______________ (solid)
 Fatty acids w/ double bonds = _______________ (liquid)
 Double bonds cause the fatty acid tails to bend and the lipids
take up more space.
2. Sterols
 Lipid whose carbon skeleton consists of four fused rings.
 Includes: ___________________ , ______________________,
______________________
 Make up cell membranes.
3. Phospholipids
 Monomers: _____________w/ ______________ Head + ____Fatty
Acid Chains
o _________________ “both lover”
What are some
characteristics of
phospholipids?
 hydro__________ phosphate head
 hydro ____________ tail
o forms ____ layers in water
o makes up _______ ___________________
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Checking for Understanding: Lipids
1. Looking at the structure of the ________-glyceride above, do you think this lipid is a large or a small
organic compound?___________________________________________
2. According to the structure above and what we have discussed about bonds, what do you think is one
of the major functions of lipids in living systems?
___________________________________________________________________
3. Without gaining or losing any atoms, how could you make this structure take up more space?
4. Draw what you think that structure would look like below.
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Checking for Understanding: Phospholipids
Follow your teacher’s instructions to draw a “flirtatious” phospholipid and water droplet in the
space below.
1. Which part “likes” water?
2. What is the term for “water-loving”?
3. Which part doesn’t like water?
4. What is the term for “water-hating?”
5. How would a group of phospholipids arrange themselves if placed in water? Draw this type
of arrangement below.
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Cell Membrane & Transport Notes
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Cell Membrane & Transport Notes
Aside from phospholipids,
what else can be found in
the plasma membrane?
Define selectively permeable.
What types of cells have a
cell membrane?
_____________________________ cells have a cell membrane, including
___________________________________________________________________________
Why is the cell membrane
referred to as the “fluid
mosaic model”?
The phospholipids that make up the cell membrane are fairly
__________________________. They do not stick to the neighboring
phospholipids, which gives the membrane a fluid-like appearance.
CAN PASS THROUGH

Based on membrane
properties, what can and
can not pass through the
membrane?
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CAN NOT PASS THROUGH
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What are the three types of
solutions?
What is an isotonic
solution?
What is a hypotonic
solution?
What is a hypertonic
solution?
Choose the best answer:
What direction does water
flow?
•
[Water] inside cell = [Water] outside cell
•
Cell is at ____________________
– Molecules are equally distributed in the end.
The amount of water entering the cell = the amount of water
leaving the cell
•
•
A solution that has_____________ water, and ________ solute
•
The cell can lyse or burst if left in a ______________________
solution
A solution that has _________ water and _____________ solute
•
• The cell will _______________________________
a) Water doesn’t flow at all.
b) Water flows from an area of low concentration to an area of
high concentration.
c) Water flows from an area of high concentration to an area of
low concentration.
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Active vs. Passive Transport
Use the terms below to fill in the blanks:
Active Transport
Facilitated Diffusion
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Passive Transport
ATP (Cell Energy)
Diffusion
Cell Membrane & Transport Notes
Fill in the T-chart to contrast
passive and active transport
What are the 3 types of
passive transport? Define
them.
Passive Transport
Active Transport
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What are 3 examples of active
transport?
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What is a protein pump?
Protein pumps use ___________________ to pull or pump materials into
or out of the cell to _______________________ or _________________
substances the cell needs.
What is endocytosis?
What are the 2 types of
endocytosis and explain the
difference
Endocytosis occurs when a particle is ________________ into the cell.
1.
2.
Exocytosis occurs when a ___________________ carrying a substance
What is exocytosis?
fuses with the _______ ______________________ and releases the
substance out of the cell.
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Different Types of Cell Membrane Proteins
TRANSPORTERS
RECEPTORS
ENZYMES
SIGNAL/RECOGNITION
Y
1. What are the four general types of proteins found anchored in the cell membrane?
_____________________,________________________, ________________________and ________________________
2. The ______________________ protein identifies the cell type and to whom the cell belongs.
3. ______________________ found in cell membranes help speed up the rate of reactions. For
instance, converting one substance into another.
4. The ______________________ protein receives information from outside the cell and passes it into
the cell.
5. The ______________________ protein is a passageway through the cell membrane.
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Checking for Understanding: Types of Solutions
Use your notes to label each of the types of solutions in which the cells are submerged in below.
A. ________________
____
B.
C.
This is a type of passive transport, but since it specifically is focused on the transport of water, what
type of passive transport is this?
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WANTED!
The Cell Membrane
(a.k.a., “The Plasma Membrane,”
“Selectively Permeable Membrane”
“Semipermeable Membrane,”
“Phospholipid Bilayer” and
“Fluid Mosaic Model”)
Wanted for aiding and abetting certain molecules across the membrane. For this, the cell
membrane has earned its alias, “’Selectively ‘ or ‘Semi’ permeable Membrane.” Only certain
molecules are allowed across the membrane, while others are not.
Height: Between 3 and 10 nanometers. If you are on the lookout, be warned: You will need an
electron microscope to see the membrane.
Known Accomplices: The cell membrane was last seen surrounding every living cell. It is known
to surround bacterial cells, as well as plant and animal cells. In addition to making up the
outer membranes of cells, phospholipids surround every membrane-bound organelle.
Identifying Features: The cell membrane primarily consists of Phospholipids, always arranged
so that the hydrophobic (water-“fearing”) tails of the phospholipid face another tail from
another phospholipid. The phospholipids are fairly slippery, and do not stick to neighboring
phospholipids. This property gives a “plasma-like” or “fluid” appearance to the membrane.
Embedded within the membrane (which is mostly made up of phospholipids) are
cholesterols (making the membrane less fluid) and large proteins that help with many
different functions. Carbohydrate side chains are also often found on the outer surface of the
membrane.
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Cell Membrane Reading Comprehension
Read the “Wanted” column on the previous page to answer the questions below.
How did the cell membrane earn each of the following aliases?
1. Plasma membrane:
2. Selectively permeable membrane:
3. Semipermeable membrane:
4. Phospholipid bilayer:
5. Fluid mosaic model:
Use the features listed below to identify the structures that are found in cell
membranes:
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
H.
Phospholipid
Carbohydrate side-chain
Glycoprotein
Membrane Protein
Inside of Cell
Outside of Cell
Hydrophobic Region
Hydrophilic Region
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Different Types of Solutions
Read the passage below and answer the questions that follow.
Whenever the concentration of a dissolved substance is higher on one side of a membrane than
on the other, there is a concentration gradient. Movement of water across the membrane depends
on this concentration gradient. In osmosis water flows into and out of a cell until the concentration
of water molecules is equal on each side of the cell membrane. At this point the flow of molecules
into and out of the cell is in a state of equilibrium.
In an isotonic solution the concentration of solute outside the cell is the same as that inside the
cell. If a cell is placed in an isotonic solution, the rate of diffusion of water into the cell is exactly the
same as the rate of diffusion of water out of the cell.
In a hypotonic solution the concentration of solute outside the cell is lower than that inside the
cell. Cells placed in a hypotonic solution swell up because water moves from the solution into the cell
until the solutions inside and outside the cell are equal in concentration.
In a hypertonic solution the concentration of the solute outside the cell is greater than that inside
the cell. Cells placed in a hypertonic solution shrivel up and lose their shape because more water
flows out of the cells than into them.
The diagrams below represent the three types of solutions: isotonic, hypotonic, and hypertonic.
1. Indicate which type of solution is shown in each of the three diagrams above.
A. _____________________ B. _____________________ C. _______________________
2. Which diagram, A, B, or C, shows no concentration gradient? ________
3. Which diagram, A, B, or C, represents a situation in which the cell will decrease in size and
lose its shape? _________
4. In each of the diagrams, use an arrow to indicate if there is a net flow of water into or out of
the cell.
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Warm Up:
The image on the right follows
the path of particles as they enter
and leave the cell. Describe the
image using the vocabulary
words:
Endocytosis
Exocytosis
Plasma membrane
Vesicle
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Crossing the Membrane
What types of substances are “permitted” across the semi-permeable
membrane?
Use the image below the table to help fill in this table. Check your answers with your teacher’s.
Can Pass through Membrane
Cannot Pass through Membrane
Solubility?
Size?
Charge?
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Membrane Proteins
The cell needs substances that cannot pass through the membrane. How does a cell get these
substances across a membrane?
1. What structure controls what enters and leaves the cell?
Write the correct number next to the term that corresponds to the numbered images:
______ concentration gradient
______ carrier protein
______ transported molecule
______ channel protein
______ lipid bilayer
______ simple diffusion
______ active transport
______ passive transport
2. Based on the chart you made on page 170 what types of molecules need to pass through
these membrane proteins because they cannot pass through the membrane?
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Egg-Osmosis Demo
ABSTRACT:
In this demonstration, you will observe osmosis, the movement of water across a semi-permeable
membrane, from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration. Sketch the setup that your teacher demonstrates. After a minimum of 24 hours, sketch the results of the
experiment, then reflect on why this happened by answering the follow up questions.
BEFORE (Water)
Starting Mass:
AFTER (Water)
End Mass:
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BEFORE (Salt Water)
Starting Mass:
AFTER (Salt Water)
End Mass:
BEFORE (Syrup)
Starting Mass:
BEFORE (Syrup)
End Mass:
Egg-Osmosis Demo
1. Is the water in the beaker hypotonic or hypertonic compared to the egg?
2. Is the salt water in the beaker hypotonic or hypertonic compared to the egg?
3. For the egg set in water, which direction did the water flow? What is the evidence?
4. For the egg set in salt water, which direction did the water flow? What is the evidence?
5. What happened to the egg placed in syrup? Is the syrup hypotonic or hypertonic to the egg?
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Real Life Application of Cell Transport
A report in the 23 April 1998 issue of The New England Journal of Medicine tells of the lifethreatening complications that can be caused by an ignorance of osmosis.
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Large volumes of a solution of 5% human albumin (a protein in the blood) are injected into
people undergoing a procedure called plasmapheresis.
The albumin is dissolved in physiological saline (0.9% NaCl) and is therefore isotonic to
human plasma (the large protein molecules of albumin have only a small osmotic effect).
If 5% solutions are unavailable, pharmacists may substitute a proper dilution of a 25%
albumin solution. Mixing 1 part of the 25% solution with 4 parts of diluent (a substance that
something else is dissolved in) results in the correct 5% solution of albumin.
BUT, in several cases, the diluent used was sterile water, not physiological saline.
SO, the resulting solution was strongly hypotonic to human plasma.
The Result: Massive, life-threatening hemolysis (releasing blood into the surrounding body
fluids) in the patient.
Draw a picture of what is happening in a patient’s cells in the space provided below, use arrows to
show the net flow of water:
Patient’s red blood cell in physiological saline
Patient’s red blood cell in sterile water
Based upon this, what do you think the symptoms of hemolysis would be?
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Understanding Diffusion and Permeability:
Plasmolysis Lab
ABSTRACT:
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
OBJECTIVE: To understand how materials move from areas of greater concentration to areas of
lower concentration through diffusion, through a permeable membrane.
MATERIALS:
Microscope
glass slide
2 coverslips
2 Elodea leaves
water
6% salt solution
HYPOTHESIS:
If a freshwater leaf is placed in salt water, then water will flow (into or out of) the leaf cells.
PROCEDURE
1. Prepare a wet mount of two elodea leaves on the same slide. Use 2 drops of tap water on
one leaf, and 2 drops of salt water on the other leaf. Cover each with a cover slip. Make sure
the two liquids on the slide do NOT run together. If they do, discard the leaves and start
over.
2. Wait at least 3 minutes.
3. Observe each under both low and high powers. Carefully observe the location of the
chloroplasts (the small green structures) in relation to the cell wall of both leaves.
4. Draw a diagram of the normal cell and the plasmolyzed cell in the circles on page 176.
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Understanding Diffusion and Permeability:
Plasmolysis Lab
FLOWCHART – (See page 16 for directions)
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Title: Elodea leaf, Normal cell
Title: Elodea leaf , Plasmolyzed cell
Magnification:
Magnification:
Understanding Diffusion and Permeability:
Plasmolysis Lab
ANALYSIS:
Read the following four statements before answering the questions:
a. Elodea cells normally contain 1% salt and 99% water on the inside.
b. Tap water used in this investigation contains 1% salt and 99% water.
c. Salt water used in this investigation contains 6% salt and 94% water.
d. Salt water has a higher concentration of salt than fresh water or Elodea cells.
1. Describe the location of chloroplasts in a normal Elodea cell (in tap water).
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2. Describe the location of chloroplasts in a plasmolyzed cell (in salt water).
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Answer the following questions about the cell in tap water:
3. What is the percentage of water outside the cell? ______________
4. What is the percentage of water inside the cell? ____________
Answer the following questions about the cell in salt water:
5. What is the percentage of water outside the cell at the start of this lab? ____________
6. What is the percentage of water inside the cell at the start of this lab? ____________
7. Which way did the water move, from inside the cell to outside, or from outside to inside the cell?
_________________________________________________________________________
8. Describe how the shape of the cell changed after being put in salt water.
_________________________________________________________________________
9. How would you define plasmolysis?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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Cell Membrane and Transport Study Guide
Plasma Membrane Structure and Properties:
In the following image below:
1. Draw a box around one phospholipid.
2. Label the brackets as being either hydrophobic region or hydrophilic region.
3. Label all the leader lines with the following terms:

carbohydrate side chain

marker protein

channel protein
4. The plasma or cell membrane is considered __________________ __________________ because it regulates
what enters and leaves the cell.
5. The monomers that make up a phospholipid are ____________ group attached to a ______________
molecule and two _________ __________ tails.
6. The phosphate heads are _________________ (water-loving).
7. The fatty acid tails are _______________ (water-hating)
8. Because of this property, phospholipids form ____ layers in water, with the hydrophobic tails
facing ____ and the hydrophilic heads facing the ______________.
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9. Due to the membrane’s hydrophobic and fatty properties, the cell membrane allows the following
items to pass through:
a.
b.
c.
10. Charged molecules or ________ cannot penetrate the hydrophobic core because it is ________________
(water-loving). Things that are too __________ in size also cannot pass through the core, unless it is
assisted by a _____________ protein.
Cell Transport Methods:
11. Complete the Venn Diagram comparing and contrasting Active vs. Passive Transport.
Passive
Active
12. List three types of passive transport:
a.
b.
c.
13. Draw arrows in the diagram to the right, indicating the
direction in which the particles move across the membrane via
diffusion.
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14. What is osmosis?
15. In the image to the right, draw an arrow indicating the
movement of water molecules through the membrane via osmosis.
16. The glucose in the image to the right is too big to pass through
the membrane. However, if it were to be “assisted” across the
membrane by a channel protein, this process would be called
______________ _______________.
17. List three types of active transport:
a.
b.
c.
18. Which letter(s) to the right best represents active
transport?
19. Which letter(s) to the right best represents passive
transport?
20. The energy that the cell uses for active transport is called ___ ___ ___
21. Why might material need energy to move through the cell membrane?
a.
b.
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22. Draw arrows in the diagram to the right, indicating the
direction in which the particles move across the membrane via
active transport.
23. Name two ways in which a particle that is too large to fit
through the cell membrane can still enter the cell?
a. _______________________________________________
b. _______________________________________________
24. Which diagram to the right represents exocytosis?
A
25. Which diagram to the right represents endocytosis?
B
26. Explain what is happening in the diagram through the
process of endocytosis and distinguish between
phagocytosis and pinocytosis.
27. Explain what is happening in the diagram through the process of exocytosis.
28. A cell is soaking in a 20% salt solution. What percent of this solution is water? _____ If the cell
itself has 10% solutes, what percent of the cell is water? ______. This makes the cell (hypo-, iso-,
hyper-) tonic compared to the salt solution, which is (hypo-, iso-, hyper-) tonic. Water will therefore
move ________ of the cell, and the cell will _____________ in size.
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Cell Membrane and Transport Unit Concept Cards
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Parent/ Significant Adult Review Page
Student Portion
Unit Summary (write a summary of the past unit using 5-7 sentences):
Explain your favorite assignment in this unit:
Adult Portion
Dear Parent/ Significant Adult:
This Interactive Notebook represents your student’s learning to date and should contain
the work your student has completed. Please take some time to look at the unit your
student just completed, read his/ her reflection and respond to the following
Ask your child to explain the difference between active and passive transport, and write a
fact from your conversation below:
Areas my student could improve are:
Parent/ Significant Adult Signature:
Comments? Questions? Concerns? Feel free to email their teachers.
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Cell Membrane and Transport Unit Concept Map
(see directions on page 21)
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Cell Membrane and Transport Unit Back Page
The California State Standards I have come to use and understand are:

Cells are enclosed within semipermeable membranes that regulate their interaction
with their surroundings.

The functions of the nervous system and the role of neurons in transmitting
electrochemical impulses.

The kidneys are responsible for the removal of nitrogenous wastes and the liver
detoxifies blood maintains glucose balance.

Muscle contractions involve actin, myosin, Ca+2 , and ATP.
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