Fluid Mosaic Model Flashcards
What is the purpose of the fluid mosaic model?
The purpose of the fluid mosaic model is to model the structure and function of the cell membrane.
Why do we use models in science?
We use models in science to help our understanding of things.
-To represent something too large or too small to be seen.
- Expalin soemthing compelx in a simple manner
What is the function of the cell membrane?
The function of the cell membrane is to keep out substances that might damage the cell, but allow in chemicals that the cell needs.
What can cell membranes do?
Cell membranes can form, reform, and appear very dynamic
What is described as fluid mosaic?
The strcuture of the selectively permeable cell membrane is described as fluid mosiac.
What is the cell membrane composed of?
The cell membrane is composed of a bilayer of special lipids called phospholipids.
What is in the phospholipid?
Proteins are floating in the phospholipid.
What does the membrane allow to pass?
The membrane allows lipid soluble substances to pass through easily.
lipid basis.
What is the structure of the bilayer?
The strcutre of the bilayer is very fluid and the lipids can move about very easily.
What does the lipid componenet of all membranes allow them to do?
It allows them to be flexible and repair themselves.
What effect does cholestrol have on the bilayer of lipids?
Without cholestrol the bilayer of lipids would be too soft.
What are the four types of proteins in the cell membrane?
The four types of proteins are transport protein, receptor protein, recongition protein, and adhesion protein.
What is the function of the transport protein ?
Transport proteins act like passagways that allow specific subtsances to move across the membrane.
What are the two types of transport proteins?
There are two types of proteins - chanel and carrier.
What are chanel proteins?
Chanel proteins carry only ions
What are carrier proteins?
Carrier proteins carry molecules and substances such as amino acids.
What is the function of receptor proteins ?
Receptor proteins respond to certain signals within the cell - giving them specific functions.
What are recognition proteins?
Recognition proteins identify the cell and are also called antigens.
They allow the immune system to distinguish between foreign particles.
What is the function of adhesion proteins?
Adhesion proteins allow the cell membrane to stick to other cell membranes.
What is the flow of proteins within the lipid bilayer dependent on?
The flow of proteins within the lipid bilayer is dependent on the number of phospholipids with unsaturated fatty acids.
Unrelatedly, what are two types of proteins?
Integral and Peripheral
What are integral proteins?
Integral proteins are totally or partially embdedded in the cell membrane.
What are peripheral proteins?
Peripheral proteins lie on the surface of the cell membrane.
What is hydrophobic in the phospholipid bilayer?
The tails are hydrophobic - thus facing inwards
What is hydrophilic in the phospholipid bilayer?
The phoshpjate heads are hydrophilic thus facing outwwards towards the cell.
Where are peripheral proteins bound?
Peripheral proteins are bound to the inner or outer surface of the membrane.
What is the cell membrane initially? in simplest erms.
It is essentially phospholipids and proteins.
