Factors Affecting Membrane Permeability

Question 1

How does temperature affect membrane permeability when it is freezing?

Answer 1

1) freezing - carrier proteins + protein channels lose their shape -> become open

cell membrane damaged by ice crystals - membrane becomes very permeable

Question 2

How does cold temperature affect membrane permeability?

Answer 2

low kinetic energy - phospholipids are close together and membrane shift - least permeable

Question 3

How does warm temperature affect membrane permeability?

Answer 3

phospholipids moving - more space between them - more permeable

Question 4

How does hot temperature affect membrane permeability?

Answer 4

carrier proteins and protein channels denature - more open

phospholipid bilayer melts

membrane is very permeable

Question 5

How do solvents affect membrane permeability?

Answer 5

the higher the solvent concentration, the higher the membrane permability, likewise

some solvents can dissolve the phospholipids in the cell membrane e.g. ethonal

loses its structure and increases its permeability