Membrane Transport: How Cells Move Materials In and Out

Cells rely on a selectively permeable membrane to regulate what enters and exits, ensuring balance in nutrients, ions, and water while removing waste. This reading comprehension worksheet dives into the different transport mechanisms—passive and active—that allow cells to maintain homeostasis. Students will learn about diffusion, osmosis, facilitated diffusion, and active transport, gaining a clear understanding of how cells move materials based on concentration gradients.

Key Topics Covered:

• Passive transport: diffusion, osmosis, and facilitated diffusion
• Active transport: carrier proteins, the sodium-potassium pump, and ATP usage
• The role of concentration gradients in cellular processes
• Real-world applications, including endocytosis and exocytosis in cell communication and immune responses

This worksheet includes a variety of questions: multiple-choice, matching, fill-in-the-blank, and short-answer, giving students a comprehensive way to check their understanding. The included case study on the sodium-potassium pump allows students to apply biological principles to real-world cellular functions. A detailed answer key is provided to save time and support classroom discussion.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand how cells regulate the movement of materials to maintain homeostasis
• Differentiate between passive and active transport processes
• Analyze the importance of concentration gradients in membrane transport

Common Core Standards:

• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.9-10.4: Determine the meaning of scientific terms and concepts in context.
• CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.9-10.8: Analyze how specific concepts develop over the course of a text.

Perfect for Courses:

• High School Biology
• AP Biology
• Life Science

This resource is ideal for reinforcing essential biology concepts, perfect for independent study, review sessions, or as part of your sub plans. It’s designed to encourage deeper understanding of membrane transport while fostering critical thinking through engaging, real-world examples.
Ready to unlock your students' critical thinking potential?

Explore my store for a treasure trove of reading comprehension worksheets that tackle diverse themes and inspire insightful discussions. From historical mysteries to scientific explorations, there’s something for every classroom!

Support a fellow educator and get rewarded! Purchase this resource, leave a review, and earn TeachShare credits you can use on any product on the platform. Your feedback helps others and benefits you too!