Biological Membranes

Question 1

What happens to a CSM when cells are placed in a solvent?

Answer 1

Phospholipids dissolve to make the membrane more permeable and fluid

Question 2

How is beetroot used to measure the permeability of cell surface membranes?

Answer 2

• The higher the permeability, the more pigment that leaks/diffuses into the surrounding solution in a given time
• Colorimeter can be used to determine the absorbance, and hence the concentration of pigment