Cellular Membranes Flashcards
Why are cellular membranes called ‘amphiphillic’
Both hydrophobic and hydrophilic regions
Give the 3 functions of plasma membranes
For receiving info from other cells eg using glycoproteins
A barrier to extra cellular molecules eg ions
For movement and expansion of a cell
What can pass though membranes via simple diffusion
Very small polar molecules like H2O
Hydrophobic (non polar) molecules like co2 and 02 , urea
What can’t pass through lipid membrane
Charged ions like NA, ca2+ (polar)
Large molecules like glucose and amino acids
Explain the 3 parts to cholesterol structure
A hydroxyl OH head which is hydrophilic
Steroid rings (carbon)
And a fatty acid hydrophobic tail
Explain cholesterols function and how it performs it and why is it important
Cholesterol interferes with movement of fatty acid tails vis their rigid steroid rings
This is important as it reduces permeability which some transporters and enzymes depend on less fluidity
Name the 4 major phospholipids
Phosphatadyl ethanolamine
Phosphatadylserine
Phosphatadylcholine
Sphingomyosin
What is sphingomyosin made of
A sphingosine with a phosphate and choline attached
Which side of the membrane are glycolipids found
Apical (extra cellular side)
Name the 2 main types of glycolipids and their differences
Galactocerebroside - 2 fatty tails, glycerol, and 1 GALactose
Ganglioside - same structure but 3X GAL , GLU, NANA(cialic acid) , 1x GAL nac
Name the 4 types of membrane proteins
1- transporters - move nutrients and metabolites
2- linkers - link extra/intra molecules to the membrane eg cytoskeleton
3- receptors
4- enzymes
What are the 3 groups of proteins on membranes showing diversity
1- integral - permanently attached eg transporters
2- lipid anchored proteins - covalently bonded to lipids in membrane EG GPI PROTEINS
3- PERIPHERAL - only associated temporarily to a specific membrane protein (dissociate eg when extreme ph)
How are lipid anchored proteins attached to each other
By covalent bond
What are the 2 modes of passive transport
Transporter mediated (transporter/carrier)
Channel mediated (channel protein)
3 types of active transport / energy driven
1- coupled/cotransport
2- atp driven (hydrolysis of atp used)
3- light or redox driven - eg in chloroplasts
What is the glycoxalyx
A cell coat which is formed by glycolipids and glycoproteins
Made of oligosaccharides
Why are glycoproteins very important
N glycans - allow protein folding no aggregation
Mucins production- lubrications for cell signalling
Proteoglycans-
Cell to cell adhesion in matrix
Growth factor binding (proliferation)
GAG to provide a gel for connecting joints
4 functions of the glycocalyx
Protection - from unwanted interactions
Storage - of proteins like growth factors which then are released (why glycoproteins promote metastasis)
Adhesion - carbohydrates and proteins/lipids
Recognition- cells have specific glycolysation
Why is glycocalyx used as recognition of cells
Different cells have specific glycolysation patterns