B2.1 Membranes and membrane transport Flashcards
Function of lipid bilayers of phospholipids
basic structure of all cell membranes wich controls passage of substances going in and out.
Describe the layer of bilayer of phospholipids and the structure arrangement in membrane
( draw out and label areas within both sides of the plasma membrane)
Form bilayer in plasma membrane due to fatty acids which are hydrophobic in aqueous solutions.
Phosphate head - face outwards contacting the water
Hydrocarbon tail ( hydrophobic) - Fatty acids face inwards from the water
Describe the hydrophobic membrane core
never exposed to water, if solutes reach the hydrophobic tail they are drawn bac to aqueous solution outside membrane
Properties of hydrophobic membrane core
low permeability to hydrophilic molecules
( ions and polar molecules), cannot diffuse that easily
larger the molecule lower the permeable
smaller molecules can pass through the membrane more easily
Define simple diffusion
the net movement of particles from a region of high to low concentration gradient, down the concentration gradient
particles are in continuous random motion
Is energy required in simple diffusion?
No, it is a passive process
When can simple diffusion occur?
Give example
if phospholipid is permeable to the particles
non-polar molecules can pass through easily such as oxygen
Why are membrane proteins so diverse in struture and position?
so they can carry out their function correctly
Describe integral proteins ( draw out)
Embedded in hydrocarbon chains in the center of membrane
hydrophobic
Describe peripheral proteins ( draw out)
protein is anchord to membrane surface
hydrophilic surface
Define osmosis
net movement of water molecules from high to low concentration of water, down concentration gradient
Does osmosis require energy?
no it is a passitve process
Why can osmosis happen in all cells?
water molecules are small enough to pass through the phospholipid bilayer
Define aqauporin
water channels that greatly increases membranes permeability
allows water to pass through single file
what are some roles of the aquaporin?
prevents protons from passing through, due to positive charges in channel
Define channel proteins
transmembrane protein with pore connecting cytoplasm to aqueous solution (outside cell)
Why are channel proteins neccessary?
ions cannot pass easily between the phospholipid bilayers however diffusion of these particles is still possible with help of protein channels
What are the characteristis of protin channels?
- diameter of pore and the chemical properties of protein channel ensures only one type of particle passes through
(e.g sodium ions or potassium ions not both)
particles can pass through both directions
- cells can determine which hydrophilic substances diffuse in/out by different types of channel proteins placed in membrane.
- permeability may temporary change, some channels can be opened/closed
What type of diffusion occurs if channel proteins are needed?
facilitated diffusion, since channel proteins are required for movement to occur
Does facilitated diffusion require energy?
no, passive process
Define pump protiens function
absorb substances even when concentration is higher inside than out, and pump substances out even when concentration is higher outside cell
against concentration gradient
Differences between pump proteins and channel proteins.
- use energy since it carries out active transport ( channel proteins don’t)
- particles can only move in one direction
( channel proteins can move particles in both) - particles move against concentration gradient
(particles in channel proteins move down concentration gradient)
How is energy retained for protein pumps to use?
Produces it’s own ATP through cell respiration
Characteristics of protein pump
each pump transfers only one specific type of particle across membrane
How is the characteristic of pump proteins helpful for cells?
it allows cells to control content of cytoplasm precisely
allows specific solutes required by cell to be absorbed even when going against concentration gradient
Describe how pump proteins are interconvertible between 2 conformations.
transported particle can enter pump from one side of membrane to reach binding site, pump protein changes into another conformation which allows ion and molecules to pass through to opposite side of membrane
then it returns to it’s original conformation
( energy is used when changing however reverse change does not require energy)
Describe what semi-permeable membrane means
allows passage of certain small solutes, and is freely permeable to solvent
Give an example of a diffusion that has a semi-permeable membrane
simple diffusion
Describe what selectively permeable membrane means.
allows passage of particular particles but not others
Give example of a diffusion that uses selectively permeable membrane
facilitated diffusion, active transport ( from the channel proteins and pump proteins)