Bio Ch 5 Flashcards
Cholesterol
lipid found in the animal plasma membrane; helps modify the fluidity of the membrane over a range of temperatures
Extracellular matrix (ECM)
only in animal cells; contains various protein fibers and very large, complex carbohydrate molecules; many functions, including lending external support to the plasma membrane and assisting in communication between cells
Fluid-Mosaic Model
cells are pliable because the phospholipid bilayer is fluid; fluidity of membrane also prevents it from solidifying as external temperatures drop
Glycolipids & glycoproteins
phospholipids and proteins that have attached carbohydrate (sugar) chains
Channel proteins
involved in passing molecules through the membrane; allow a substance to move from one side to the other
Carrier proteins
involved in passing molecules through the membrane; receive a substance and change their shape; this change serves to move the substance across the membrane
Cell recognition proteins
glycoproteins; help the body recognize when it is being invaded by pathogens so that an immune response can occur
Receptor proteins
have a shape that allows only a specific molecule to bind to it; the binding of this molecule causes the protein to change its shape and thereby bring about a cellular response; totally dependent on signaling molecules
Enzymatic proteins
carry out metabolic reactions directly; some are attached to the various membranes of the cell; without these, a cell would never be able to perform the chemical reactions needed to maintain its metabolism
Junction proteins
involved in forming various types of connections between animal cells; allow the cilia of cells that line your respiratory tract to beat in unison
Selectively permeable
allowing only certain substances into the cell while keeping others out
Concentration gradient
gradual change in chemical concentration between 2 areas of differing concentrations
Transduction pathway
series of relay proteins that ends when a protein is activated
Aquaporins
allow water to cross a membrane more quickly than expected; allow cells to equalize water pressure differences between their interior and exterior environments so their membranes don’t burst from environmental pressure changes
Bulk transport
a way that large particles can exit or enter a cell
Diffusion
movement of molecules from a higher to a lower concentration (that is, down their concentration gradient - until equilibrium is achieved and the molecules are distributed equally); results from random molecular motion that can be observed with any type of molecule
Solution
solute (usually solid) + solvent (usually liquid)
Solute
substance that is dissolved in a solvent, forming a solution