5.2 Factors Affecting Membrane Structures

Question 1

What happens to membranes if they lose their structures?

Answer 1

They lose control of the passage of different substances in and out of the membrane, and cell processes will be disrupted

Question 2

How does temperature affect membrane structures?

Answer 2

-If temperature is increased, the phospholipids will have more kinetic energy, and move more. This makes the membrane more fluid, and it beings to lose its structure.
-If temperatures continue to increase, the cell will eventually break down completely.
-Carrier and channel proteins in the membrane will be denatured at higher temperatures.

Question 3

What factors affect membrane structure?

Answer 3

Temperature and solvents

Question 4

Why is water essential in the formation of the phospholipid bilayer?

Answer 4

Because it determines the direction of the phospholipid heads and tails, based on hydrophobic and hydrophilic interactions

Question 5

How do organic solvents affect membranes?

Answer 5

They will dissolve them, disrupting cells

Question 6

Are the majority of organic solvents more or less polar than water?

Answer 6

Less

Question 7

What happens when the membrane is disrupted?

Answer 7

It becomes more fluid and more permeable