Simple Diffusion is the movement of molecules from a region of higher

concentration to a region of lower concentration without any energy involved. This

process applies only for small molecules since the phospholipid molecules are
compressed, or for non-polar molecules since the non-polar tails do not allow polar
molecules to pass through the membrane. Osmosis is defined as the diffusion of
water across a membrane without any energy involved. Water diffuses freely
through the cell membrane since it is an extremely small molecule and can only
move down its concentration gradient, therefore it is essential that the cell has a
constant exterior environment so that a constant internal environment is
maintained, otherwise the cell may burst or crenate.

Another type of lipids in the cell membrane is cholesterol. Cholesterol is an essential

molecule which is found among the phospholipid tails of the membrane and can co-
exist with them since lipids are also hydrophobic. Cholesterol strengthens the cell
membrane by preventing small molecules from passing through the cell membrane
and also prevent the tails of phospholipids from coming into contact with each other
and solidifying, thus cholesterol keeps the membrane fluid.

Proteins form another set of important structures in the cell membrane. Enzymes in
the cell membrane may function as biological catalysts and thus speed up
metabolic reactions. Another type of protein which is important is the surface
protein marker which identifies other cells. There are other proteins are also
important for transport across cell membranes since they are involved in passive
diffusion and active transport.

Passive Diffusion is the transport of substances across a membrane by a specific

trans-membrane protein molecule. This type of transport is used for substances
which go down their concentration gradient and are too slow to pass through the
membrane without some facility. There are two types of proteins which are involved
in passive diffusion; Channel Proteins form a water-filled pore to allow the molecule
to enter this pore and is released to the other side, an example of this type of
channel is the potassium channel where the positively charged potassium ions are
attracted by the polar oxygen atoms in the channel and the potassium ion pass
through the channel since it is a custom fit for them. The other type of protein is the
Carrier Protein which has a binding site for a specific molecule and flips between
two states so that it's alternatively open on both sides of the membrane, an
example of this type of protein is the glucose transporter which allows glucose to
enter the cell at a much faster rate.
Active Transport is the pumping of a substance across a membrane by a specific
trans-membrane protein up their concentration gradient, thus, energy is required.
This type of transport works by the protein binding a substance, energy is used to
change the shape of the protein, and releases the substance on the other side of
the membrane. The trans-membrane protein can be of three types; a uniporter,
which transports substances in one direction, a symporter, which transports two
substances in one direction, or an antiporter which transports 2 substances in
opposite directions. An example of an antiporter is the Na+K+ pump which pumps
3Na+ out of the cell and pumps 2K+ into the cell, it also creates a membrane
potential which repels Cl- ions. This Na+K+ pump is found in most cells and uses
30% of the cell's energy.