· In an open system matter and energy can be transferred
· In a closed system only energy can be exchanged
· In an isolated system neither matter nor energy can be exchanged
· The cell has to be an open system because it needs to exchange matter and energy and the only way to do so is through an open system
· As an open system the cell allows nutrients to enter the cell and waste products to exit the cell
· The cell does this through the use of a semi-permeable membrane
· It needs nutrients in the forms of glucose, ions and many other molecules.
· The nutrients can come into the cell through either passive or active transport
· In passive transport the nutrients naturally move from a higher concentration gradient to a concentration gradient.
· During active transport the particle need to move against the concentration gradient. To do this the cell needs energy to transport the materials. The energy comes in the form of ATP.
