CHAPTER 7 - Plasma Membrane Flashcards
Define the plasma membrane and its function.
- The P.M separates a living cell from its surrounding.
- A thing barrier that controls traffic in and out of the cell.
What does selective permeability mean?
Certain substances cross the membrane more easily than others.
What macromolecules are found within the membrane?
lipids, proteins, and carbohydrates
Most abundant lipid
phospholipids
What is the term for a phospholipid that is hydrophobic and hydrophilic?
Amphipathic molecule
A membrane’s fluidity is based on its chemical makeup. Membranes rich in unsaturated fatty acids are more _____ than those with saturated fatty acids.
- FLUID.
- Saturated fats are solid, where as unsaturated fats are liquid.
A membrane’s fluidity is based on its chemical makeup. Membranes rich in unsaturated fatty acids are more _____ than those with saturated fatty acids.
- FLUID.
- Saturated fats are solid, where as unsaturated fats are liquid. Due to the kinks at the bonds of saturated fats.
At what temperature does cholesterol restrains movement of phospholipids and reduces its fluidity.
ACTS AS A BUFFER
WARM.
- At cool temp, it allows its fluidity.
What’s a key role of cholesterol in phospholipids?
Acts as a buffer, maintains and restrains the movement of the phospholipids.
Membranes have multiple proteins - 50 diff types of proteins in RBC.
Proteins determine a membranes function.
What are the two major membrane proteins?
Integral membrane proteins and Peripheral Proteins
Peripheral proteins are found where?
Often bound loosely to the surface or on integral membranes.
Integral proteins are found where?
It spans across the membrane.
What are important functions of membrane proteins?
Transport, enzymatic activity, signaling, transduction, recognition, intercellular joining, and attachment to cytoskeleton.
Membrane carbohydrates provide a tag/ID. Where are they found?
On the extracellular/surface of the cell.
