Biological Membranes Flashcards
Outline the phospholipid bilayer
1- hydrophobic fatty acid tails ( face Inwards )
2- hydrophilic heads ( on the outside )
What’s the difference between saturated and unsaturated fatty acid tails ?
(4)
Saturated fatty acids are straight chained
-no double bonds
- unsaturated fatty acid tails have kinks in them preventing them form packing closely together
- at least one C=C
What’s a phospholipid ?
- hydrophilic (head)
- hydrophobic ( tail )
- glycerol -2 fatty acid chains and a phosphate group ( hydrophilic )
Why is the fluid mosaic model used to describe the cell membrane ?
(2)
- Bilayer = fluid ( constantly moving
- protein molecule scattered through the molecule like tiles in a Mosaic .
What can diffuse through the bilayer ?
Lipid soluble small molecules
What is the function of plasma membrane ?
4
- barrier between cell and outside
- partially permeable allows it to let some molecules in and other out
- recognition by other cells
- cell communication
What is the function of membranes within cells ?
5
- divide the organelle and cytoplasm
- form vesicles
- control what enters and leaves the organelle
- membranes within organelle =barrier between membrane and rest of the organelle ( thylakoids membranes )
- site of chemical reactions
What is cholesterol ?
- cholesterol is a lipid
What is the function of cholesterol and where does is fit ?
3
Function : maintain fluidity
(Buffer for temperature )
- cholesterol fits between the phospholipid, causing them to pack more closely = less fluid and more rigid
What is the function of glycolipids , Glycoproteins ?
4
- stabilise the membrane by forming hydrogen bonds with surrounding water molecules
- sites where drugs , hormones , antibodies bind
- receptors (cell signalling )
- antigens- involved in immune response .
How do Neurones have specialised membranes ?
2
- protein channels ( move ions so electrical impulses are conducted )
- Myelin sheath
How to White blood cells have specialised membranes ?
1
- special protein receptors to recognise antigens / foreign cells
How are root hairs cells specialised ( membrane wise) ?
1
- many carrier proteins ( active transport of nitrate ions )
What can pass via simple diffusion ?
3
- O2
- CO2
- lipid soluble molecules (steroids )
How do water molecules pass through the membrane ?
2
- some diffuse through the bilayer
- Specific water channels- Aquaporins