cell structure, membrane transport + ionic homeostasis Flashcards
What are prokaryotic cells?
1) simple cells without nucleus
2) mostly unicellular bacteria
What are eukaryotic cells?
complex cells with nucleus + organelles
What is the plasma membrane?
outer, limiting membrane that separates cell’s internal parts from extracellular fluid/external environment
What is the function of the plasma membrane?
1) regulates flow of materials into/out of cell
2) identifies cell to other cells
3) participates in intercellular signalling
What is the lipid bilayer?
arrangement of molecules in two parallel sheets in cellular membrane that acts as barrier to polar substances
What are transmembrane proteins?
gatekeepers that allow passage to specific molecules/ions
Give some example of plasma membrane proteins.
1) ion channel (integral)
2) carrier (integral)
3) receptor (integral)
4) enzyme (integral + peripheral)
5) linker (integral + peripheral)
6) glycoproteins
What is the function of ion channel proteins?
allows specific ions to move through water-filled pores
What is the function of carrier proteins?
carries specific substances across membrane by changing shape
What is the function of receptor proteins?
recognises specific ligands + alters cell’s function in some way
What is the function of enzymes?
catalyses reaction inside/outside cell
What is the function of linker proteins?
1) anchors filaments inside + outside plasma membrane
2) provides structural stability + shape for cell
3) may participate in movement of cell/link 2 cells together
What is the function of glycoproteins?
distinguishes your cell’s from anyone else’s
How do substances move across cellular membranes?
via passive/active transport processes
What happens in passive processes?
substance moves down concentration/electrical gradient using only its kinetic energy
What happens in active processes?
cellular energy used to drive substance “uphill” against concentration/electrical gradient
What is the cellular energy used in active processes?
adenosine triphosphate (ATP)
What is cytoplasm?
cytosol + all organelles except nucleus
What are chromosomes?
small, threadlike structure in nucleus of cell that bears genetic material; composed of DNA + proteins
What is cholesterol?
lipid that is the most abundant steroid in animal tissues; located in cell membranes + used for synthesis of steroid hormones + bile salts
What is cytosol (intracellular fluid)?
semifluid portion of cytoplasm in which organelles + inclusions are suspended + solutes are dissolved
What factors influence the rate of diffusion across plasma membranes?
1) steepness of concentration gradient
2) temperature
3) mass of diffusing substance
4) surface area
5) diffusion distance
How does steepness of the concentration gradient influence the rate of diffusion?
the greater the difference in concentration between the two sides of the membrane, the higher the rate of diffusion
How does temperature influence the rate of diffusion?
the higher the temperature, the faster the rate of diffusion
How does mass of the diffusing substance influence the rate of diffusion?
the larger the mass, the slower the diffusion rate
How does surface area influence the rate of diffusion?
the larger the membrane surface area available for diffusion, the faster the diffusion rate
How does diffusion distance influence the rate of diffusion?
the greater the distance over which diffusion must occur, the longer it takes
What is simple diffusion?
passive process in which substances move freely through lipid bilayer of plasma membranes of cells without help of membrane transport proteins
What moves across the lipid bilayer through simple diffusion?
1) nonpolar, hydrophobic molecules
2) small, uncharged polar molecules
Give some examples of nonpolar, hydrophobic molecules.
1) oxygen
2) carbon dioxide
3) nitrogen gases
4) fatty acids
5) steroids
6) fat-soluble vitamins
Give some examples of small, uncharged polar molecules.
1) water
2) urea
3) small alcohols
What is facilitated diffusion?
passive process in which an integral membrane protein assists a specific substance across the membrane
What is channel-mediated facilitated diffusion?
process in which a solute moves down concentration gradient through membrane channel
What are channels?
integral membrane proteins that allow specific, small, inorganic ions to pass across the membrane by facilitated diffusion
What are carriers?
integral membrane proteins that undergo changes in shape in order to move substances across the membrane by facilitated diffusion