cell membranes and transport Flashcards
define hydrophobic
a molecule that is repelled by water molecules
define hydrophilic
a molecule that is attracted to water molecules
define diffusion
the passive movement of a molecule or ion down a concentration gradient from a region of higher concentration to a region of lower concentration
define facilitated diffusion
the passive transfer of molecules or ions down a concentration gradient, by a protein channel or carrier molecules in the membrane
define co transport
a passive process that brings molecules and ions into cells together on the same protein transport molecules
e.g sodium and glucose
define active transport
transport of ions and molecules against the concentration gradient
uses energy from the hydrolysis of ATP, made by the cell in respiration
requires an intrinsic carrier protein
define exocytosis
the process by which substances may leave the cell in bulk, having been transported through the cytoplasm in a vesicle, which fuses with the cell membrane
define endocytosis
the process by which substances may enter the cell in bulk
define osmosis
the passive movement of water, from an area of higher water potential to an area of lower water potential across a selectively permeable membrane
define hypertonic
a solution with a lower water potential than its surrounding (due to more solute being present)
define hypotonic
a solution with a higher water potential than its surroundings (due to less solute being present)
define isotonic
a solution with the same water potential as its surrounding
define solute potential
due to the solutes in the vacuole and cytoplasm, it is the lowering of water potential due to the presence of solute molecules
define pressure potential
the pressure exerted by the cell contents of the cell wall, a force which increases the tendency of water to move out
why is the fluid mosaic model used to describe a phospholipid bilayer?
- phospholipid molecules can move around and are quite flexible, making them have fluidity
- randomly distributed protein molecules may vary in shape and size forming a mosaic pattern
explain how phospholipid molecules interact with water that is both in the cytoplasm and outside the cell
the hydrophilic heads forms hydrogen bonds with the water molecules on the outside of the cell membrane
hydrophobic tails - repel water
what is a glycoprotein?
proteins which have carbohydrate groups attached to the polypeptide chain
state two functions of membrane glycoproteins
- antigens, allowing self replication
- act as receptors
- hold cells together
what is the permeability of cell membrane affected by?
- temperature
- organic solvents e.g ethanol
how is permeability affected by temperature?
the molecules moving through the membrane will have more kinetic energy and will diffuse more quickly
phospholipids gain kinetic energy
how is permeability affected by organic solvents?
ethanol dissolves the phospholipids and may denature the proteins, resulting in gaps or holes within the cell membrane
the membrane becomes more porous
acetone has a similar effect
what is osmosis?
- the diffusion of water, from a higher water potential to an area of lower water potential across a selectively permeable membrane
- it is a passive process so does not require ATP