Ch. 3: Cells - The Living Units Flashcards
What are the 3 parts of a cell?
- Plasma (cell) membrane
- Cytoplasm
- Nucleus
Describe the Plasma (Cell) Membrane
Flexible, yet sturdy barrier that surrounds & contains the cytoplasm of the cell
- 2 layers of phospholipids (hydrophilic head, hydrophobic tail)
- Selectively permeable
What are the 2 types of membrane proteins?
- Integral (transmembrane) proteins
- Peripheral proteins
What are the functions of an ion channel membrane protein?
Ion Channel (integral): forms a pore that a specific ion can flow to get across membrane
What are the functions of a carrier membrane protein?
Carrier (integral): transports substance across membrane by changing shape
What are the functions of a receptor membrane protein?
Receptor (integral): recognizes ligand & alters cell’s function in some way
What are the functions of an enzyme membrane protein?
Enzyme (integral & peripheral): catalyzes reaction inside or outside cell
What are the functions of a linker membrane protein?
Linker (integral & peripheral): anchors filaments inside & outside plasma membrane, providing structural stability & shape
What are the functions of a cell identity marker membrane protein?
Cell Identity Marker (glycoprotein): distinguishes your cells from anyone else’s
Why are membranes fluid structures?
Most of the membrane lipids & many of the membrane proteins move easily in the bilayer
- Membrane lipids & proteins are mobile in their own half of the bilayer
What does cholesterol do in the membrane?
Cholesterol serves to stabilize the membrane & reduce membrane fluidity
What is the lipid bilayer always permeable to?
Small, nonpolar, uncharged molecules
What increases the permeability of the membrane?
Transmembrane (integral) proteins that act as channels/transporters
How can Macromolecules pass through the plasma membrane
Only able to pass by vesicular transport
Define Concentration Gradient
Difference in concentration of a chemical between 1 side of the plasma membrane & the other
- Unequal distribution of chemicals inside & outside the cell
Define Electrical Gradient
Difference in concentration of ions between 1 side of the plasma membrane & the other
Together, what do the concentration gradient & electrical gradient make up?
Electrochemical gradient
What are the transport processes that move substances across the cell membrane?
- Passive: does NOT require energy, follows concentration gradient
- Active: requires energy (ATP), moves against gradient
Describe the passive process: Simple Diffusion
Passive movement of molecules (solute) from high to love concentration
- Influenced by: steepness of concentration gradient, temperature, mass of diffusion substance, surface area, diffusion distance
Describe the passive process: Facilitated Diffusion
Transmembrane proteins help solutes that are too polar or too highly charged move through the lipid bilayer
- Channel mediated: transport ions or water through aqueous channels from 1 side to another
- Carrier mediated: transport certain polar molecules (i.e. sugars & amino acids); changes shape to move molecules from different sides of membrane
Describe the passive process: Osmosis
The net movement of a solvent (water) through a selectively permeable membrane from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration
Describe Tonicity
How a surrounding solution affects cell volume
Describe Isotonic
Solutions have same solute concentration as that of the cell; produces no net movement of water
Ex. normal RBC shape
Describe Hypertonic
Solutions have greater solute concentration that of the cell; water must move out of the cell
Ex. RBC undergoes crenation (shrinks)