Cell Membrane And Transport Mechanisms

Question 1

What is the fluid mosaic model

Answer 1

Describes the structure of the plasma membrane as a mosaic of components in which the components are able to flow and change position, while maintaining the basic integrity of the membrane

Question 2

Why is it called the fluid mosaic model

Answer 2

Fluid-the individual phospholipid molecules can move relative to each other. This provided a flexible structure that can change shape
Mosaic- the proteins that are embedded in the membrane vary in size, pattern and shape in the same way as tiles in a mosaic

Question 3

What features do phospholipids have

Answer 3

Bi layer with hydrophobic tails inwards and hydrophilic heads outwards

Question 4

What features do proteins have

Answer 4

-surface proteins that act as receptor cells for hormones with attached glycolipids and provide structural support
-full thickness proteins that act as protein channels and carrier proteins

Question 5

How do you calculate surface area : volume ratio

Answer 5

-measure length and height of the cube, multiply them together
-multiply value by number of sides (6)= surface area
-times length width and height of the cube=volume
-divide SA by the volume and this is your SA:V ratio