Cell membranes Flashcards
Cell membrane - job
Cell membranes act as barriers and can control what passes into and out of cells and organelles
What is the cell membrane comprised of?
composed of phospholipids, proteins, glycoproteins, glycolipids and cholesterol.
Glycolipids and glycoproteins - job on membranes
allow cell adherence, stability and act as recognition sites
Cholesterol - job on membranes
has a hydrophilic end and a hydrophobic end ®ulates membrane fluidity by intercalating between the phospholipids.
Phospholipid bilayers and temperature
high temperatures the phospholipid bilayer increases its fluidity and permeability, increasing the risk of the proteins becoming denatured. At low temperatures, the phospholipids are compressed, making the membrane stif
Phospholipid bilayers and Organic solvents
Organic solvents disrupt the bilayer and dissolve the membrane
Phospholipid membrane diagram
see photo