Final answer:
Non-carrier mediated transport includes diffusion through the plasma membrane and osmosis. These methods involve the movement of substances across the cell membrane without the involvement of transport proteins.
Step-by-step explanation:
Non-carrier mediated transport is a mechanism by which substances move across the cell membrane without the direct involvement of transport proteins. Two primary processes associated with non-carrier mediated transport are diffusion and osmosis.
**1. Diffusion:** This process involves the spontaneous movement of molecules from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration. In non-carrier mediated diffusion, substances such as gases, small lipophilic molecules, and some ions can move directly through the lipid bilayer of the plasma membrane without the assistance of transport proteins.
**2. Osmosis:** Osmosis is the movement of water molecules across a semipermeable membrane, driven by differences in solute concentration. Like diffusion, osmosis is a non-carrier mediated process because it doesn't require the involvement of transport proteins. Water moves across the membrane to equalize the concentration of solutes on either side.
Both diffusion and osmosis are essential for maintaining the balance of ions and water across cell membranes, contributing to overall cell homeostasis.