Cell Structure - Cell membranes Flashcards
Why is the cell membrane structure knows as fluid mosaic
- Fluid - The components can move around within the membrane
- Mosaic - Due to the pattern produced by the proteins embedded throughout the membrane
What are glycoproteins
Carbohydrate bound to a protein
What is the role of glycoproteins
The carbohydrate acts as a recognition site
What are glycolipids
Carbohydrate bound to a phospholipid
What is the role of glycolipids
The carbohydrate acts as a recognition site
What is the role of cholesterol
- Reduces the fluidity of the membrane by restricting the movement of other molecules
- Makes the membrane more rigid and less permeable
- Maintains the shape of the membrane
What is the role of phospholipids
- Forms a bilayer
- Allows lipid soluble and small, non-polar molecules to diffuse through
- Prevents the passage of charged and water soluble molecules
Define diffusion
The passive net movement of small non-polar or lipid soluble molecules from a higher concentration to a lower concentration down a concentration gradient
Define osmosis
Define facillitated diffusion
Define co-transport
Define active transport
What properties of transport proteins make them specific
Contrast active transport and facillitated diffusion
Compare active transport and facillitated diffusion
