BIOCHEM Chp.8 Membrane Flashcards
How do phospholipids move through the membrane?
they move easily through simple diffusion
What is a lipd raft?
a collection of similar lipids with or without associated proteins that serve as attachment points for other biomolecules and play a role in biosignaling
What are flippases?
enzymes that assist in the flip of phospholipids b/w the layers of the cell membrane
What are the components of the membrane?
lipids, glycoproteins carbs, and nucleic acids
What are Fatty Acids?
Carboxylic acids that contain a hydrocarbon chain and terminal carboxyl group
What are triacylglycerols?
storage lipid proteins that contain 3 FA chains esterified to a glycerol molecule
What is an unsaturated FA?
healthier fats because they have one or more double bonds and exist in lipid form at room temp. in the membrane, it imparts fluidity
What is a saturated FA?
animal fat that exits as solid at room temp. in the membrane, they decrease overall fluidity
What is the role of glycerophospholipid?
they can produce a hydrophilic surface layer on very-low-density lipoproteins
they serve a structural role in the membrane and second messengers in single transduction
provide an attachment point for water-soluble groups such as choline and inositol
What is the structure of sphingolipids?
a hydrophilic region and 2 Fatty acid-derived hydrophobic tails
What are some examples of sphingolipids?
ceramide, sphingomyelins, cerebrosides and gangliosides
What is the role of cholesterol?
regulation of membrane fluidity and the synthesis of steroids
How does cholesterol regulate membrane fluidity?
at lower temperatures, cholesterol prevents the formation of crystal structures in the membrane, increasing fluidity. At high temperatures, cholesterol limits the movement of phospholipids within the bilayer and decreases fluidity to help hold the membrane intact
What are waxes?
a class of lipids that is extremely hydrophobic. it is composed of a long-chain FA and a long-chain alcohol which contributes to its high melting point
What is the diff b/w transmembrane and embedded proteins?
transmembrane proteins pass completely through the lipid bilayer whereas embedded proteins are associated with only the interior (cytoplasmic) or extracellular surface of the membrane
What proteins make up the integral membrane proteins?
transmembrane and embedded proteins
How are membrane-associated/peripheral proteins bound to the membrane?
through electrostatic interactions with the lipid layer especially at lipid rafts or with coupled receptors
What are examples of membrane receptors?
ligand-gate channels, G protein-coupled receptors
What are CAMS?
cell adhesion molecules are proteins that allow cells to recognize each other and contribute to proper cell differentiation and development
What are gap junctions/connexins?
connexins are formed by the alignment and interactions of pores composed of six molecules of connexin
What is the role of gap junctions/connexins?
they permit rapid movement of water and some solutes directly between cells and do not prevent paracellular transport of materials
What is the role of tight junctions?
they prevent solutes from leaking into the space b/w cells via a paracellular route