Pinocytosis2

Pinocytosis



What is Pinocytosis? Pinocytosis, also known as “cell drinking”, is the ingestion of liquids and granular molecules into a cell by the budding of small vesicles, or pouches from the cell membrane. This is where the cell transports these molecules into the cell through engulfing.

How does it work?



 To begin, the cell surrounds molecules that have already been dissolved, otherwise known as extracellular fluid. Inside the cell, there is a higher concentration of particles than outside the cell. As a result, the particles will have to move against what is known as the concentration gradient. When doing this the cell uses energy in the form of ATP. As the process continues and the extracellular fluids come in contact/come near the plasma membrane, the membrane begins to fold inward making a pouch or cavity for the fluid to be stored in. Then, as the membrane continues to fold it eventually closes. This capsule/pouch is called a vesicle. The particles inside the vesicle can then either be digested or used for different cellular functions. This is how our cells absorb nutrients.

How is Pinocytosis Utilized in the Human Body?



The cell can extract dissolved fluids and solutes using ATP. "In particular, it is not the fluid itself that is needed by the cell but rather the molecules dissolved in it".

Who First Explored the Ideas of this Cell Transport?

 Born: June 17, 1870, Suffield, CT

 Died: July 3, 1964, Philadelphia, PA

American cell biologist, Warren Harmon Lewis first explored the ideas of Pinocytosis around 1929. He "described an unusual phenomenon occurring in the plasma membrane" where some parts/molecules were being trapped in cavities and pinched off. Approximately three years later, it was said that Warren's observations were confirmed by two scientists; W.L.Doyle and S.O.Mast. "This developed when they were studying an amoeba who had undergone Pinocytosis". Things to Remember...

- Pino= To Drink - Cytosis= A cell's condition/transport of molecules in and out of cells - Is a form of endocytosis - It occurs in Kidney cells - Is a form of active transport

How does Pinocytosis effect animal and plant cells?

First off, Pinocytosis is anything but dangerous. In fact, it actually promotes both animal and plant cells and helps them obtain nutrients from the liquid that they drink or have in their system. This is because Pinocytosis allows the cells to extract fluids from around the plasma membrane which keeps the cells hydrated and aids cellular functions.

Analogy:

(Pinocytosis is like drinking a glass of water for your cells) Pinocytosis is to the cell as drinking a glass of water is to our body.

Work Cited: [] [|https://www.britannica.com/science/] [] []