2.1.5 Biological Membranes Flashcards
What is the role of the cell surface membrane?
To control which substances leave and enter the cell by being partially permeable. It separates the cells components from the external environment.
What are the functions of the Cell surface membrane?
Regulates the transport of materials into and out of the cell. Contains enzymes that are used in metabolic pathways. Has antigens so the immune system doesn’t attack it. May release chemicals to communicate with other cells via cell signaling. Has receptors to receive chemical signals. The site of many chemical reactions.
What is the role of membranes within cells?
Divide the cell into different compartments - called organelles and separates their contents from the cytoplasm of the cell.
What are the advantages of organelle membranes?
Separates the contents of the organelle from the rest of the cell so that all the substances needed for a process (e.g. respiration) are contained close together to make the process more effective.
What can organelle membranes do to transport molecules?
Can form vesicals
How are the membranes of mitochondria adapted?
Have a large surface area and are folded
How are the membranes of chloroplast adapted?
Contain chlorophyll for photosynthesis.
How are the membrane of intestines adapted?
Contain Digestive Enzymes
What is the membrane described as?
A phospholipid bilayer
Why is it a bilayer?
There are two layers of phospholipids
What is the structure of a phospholipid?
A hydrophilic phospholipid head. With two hydrophobic fatty acid tails.
What is the structure of a phospholipid bylayer?
Two layers of phospholipids with the heads facing outwards and the tails facing inwards. The tails are held together through hydrophobic interactions.
What is the fluid mosaic model?
The model that shows how the membrane is made up and how it is structured.
Why is it a fluid mosaic model?
Fluid - the phospholipids of the bilayer are constantly moving. So the membrane is flexible and can change shape.
Mosaic - There are lots of molecules such as proteins
What makes up the cell surface membrane?
Phospholipid Bilayer. Cholesterol. Glycoproteins. Glycolipids. Protein Receptor Sites. Channel Proteins. Carrier Proteins.
Where is cholesterol found?
Found in every cell membrane except bacteria. They fit between the phospholipids and bind between the hydrophobic tails.
What does cholesterol do?
Increases the packing of the membrane making is stronger and more rigid so its less likely to get damaged.
What effect does cholesterol have at high temperatures?
Prevents the membrane getting too fluid at warm temperatures as they maintain the placing
What effect does cholesterol have at cold temperatures?
prevents the membrane becoming rigid at cold temperatures by preventing the phospholipids packing too close together
What are intrinsic proteins?
They span the membrane from one side to the other. they have hydrophobic amino acids on the outside to interact with the hydrophobic layers of the bilayer.
What are Extrinsic proteins?
Peripheral proteins are present in one side of the membrane.
What are channel proteins?
Transport proteins that have a hydrophilic channel that certain charged or water soluble molecules/ions use as a passage through the membrane by facilitated diffusion.