Facilitated diffusion is a type of passive transport that allows molecules to cross the cell membrane through special proteins. The IPA phonetic notation for the spelling of "facilitated" is [fəˈsɪlɪteɪtɪd], which represents the syllables and sounds within the word: "fuh-sil-i-tey-tid." The "a" in "facilitated" is pronounced as a schwa sound, while the stress falls on the second syllable. The word "diffusion" is pronounced as [dɪˈfjuːʒən], which sounds like "di-fyoo-zhun."
Facilitated diffusion is a type of passive transport process in which molecules move across a cell membrane from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration with the help of specific carrier proteins. This process allows the transportation of certain substances that are not able to cross the membrane on their own due to their size, charge, or hydrophobic nature.
In facilitated diffusion, the carrier proteins embedded in the cell membrane act as facilitators or gatekeepers, creating channels or pores through which the molecules can pass. These carrier proteins are specific to the type of molecule they transport, ensuring that only certain substances can enter or exit the cell.
Unlike active transport, facilitated diffusion does not require energy expenditure from the cell and is driven by the concentration gradient of the molecules being transported. This means that it occurs spontaneously as long as there is a concentration difference across the cell membrane.
Examples of molecules that may undergo facilitated diffusion include glucose, amino acids, and certain ions such as sodium and potassium. By employing carrier proteins, facilitated diffusion allows cells to regulate the movement of essential substances and maintain internal homeostasis.
The term "facilitated diffusion" comes from the fusion of two words: "facilitated" and "diffusion".
1. Facilitated: The word "facilitated" is the past participle form of the verb "facilitate", which is derived from the Latin word "facilitas", meaning "easiness" or "willingness". In English, "facilitate" means to make an action or process easier or smoother.
2. Diffusion: The word "diffusion" comes from the Latin word "diffusio", meaning "a pouring forth" or "spread". In general, diffusion refers to the process of particles or molecules moving from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration.
Therefore, "facilitated diffusion" refers to a type of passive transport in cells where molecules can move across the cell membrane with the assistance of specific transport proteins.