Cell membranes Flashcards
Roles of plasma membranes
Separates cell contents from outside environment
Regulates transport on nutrients in and out: selectively permeable
Recognition by antigens
Receptor sites
Function of internal membranes
Separate cell components from cytoplasm
Hold components of metabolic pathways in place e.g ribosomes on RER
Location of chemical reactions e.g respiration on cristae of mitochondria
Who proposed fluid mosaic model of plasma membranes
Singer and Nicholson, 1972
Why ‘fluid’ in fluid mosaic?
Phospholipid molecules move around each other
why ‘mosaic’ in fluid mosaic?
Proteins embedded between phospholipids vary in shape, size and pattern
What type of molecules does the phospholipid bolster allow to enter?
lipid- soluble molecules
What is phospholipid bilayer a barrier to?
Large polar molecules
Water soluble molecules
Ions
What is phospholipid bilayer freely permeable to?
Lipid soluble substances
Non polar molecules
Very small polar molecules e.g H2O, CO2, O2
What can vary permeability of membranes
Increase in temp, increase in Ek, vibrate faster. Membrane becomes more fluid so more permeable
Components of plasma membrane
Phospholipid bilayer
Proteins
Cholesterol
Glyco proteins/lipids
Distance across phospholipid bilayer
7nm
Proteins found in membrane?
Intrinsic and extrinsic
Intrinsic proteins?
Proteins that extend across bilayer
Function and types of intrinsic proteins
Provide structural support
Some are carrier proteins, some are channel proteins
Carrier proteins?
Move large polar molecules or water soluble substances e.g sugars and amino acids across bilayer by changing shape when the particular molecule attaches to the binding site
Channel proteins structure?
3d globular protein with hydrophilic R groups facing inwards to line the pore
Channel protein function?
Water filled, allowing water soluble molecules to pass through. Specific, bc of specific protein shape so each protein only allows specific molecules or ions through. Channel can be gated to ppen/close in specific circumstances
Extrinsic proteins
Either side of bilayer
cholesterol location?
Fits between fatty acids
Cholesterol function
Provide stability and rigidity bc they are between fatty acids
What is the glycocalyx?
Carbohydrate layer around membrane: glycoproteins and lipoproteins
Function of glycocalyx
Cell to cell communication, recognition and hormone reception
Concentration gradient?
Difference in concentration of a substance between two regions
Diffusion?
Passive movement of molecules from a region oc hight concentration to low concentration down a concentration gradient
For molecules to move freely they must have?
Ek