MCB Lecture 9 Lipids and Bilayers Flashcards
What are the three features of lipid Bilayers?
- Amphipathic
- Asymmetrical
- Variable fluidity
Describe lipid Bilayers’ role in compartmentalisation
Lipid bilayer provides a physical barrier -> compartments
These compartments can have different properties and conditions
Describe how the lipid bilayer is amphipathic
The head is hydrophilic
The fatty acid tails are hydrophobic
Describe the structure of a phospholipid
Phosphate head
Glycerol
Two fatty acid chains (hydrocarbons)
Draw the structure of cholesterol
.
Describe how lipid Bilayers have variable fluidity
- Cholesterol
- Shorter chain fatty acids
- Double bonds in fatty acids
Shorter chain fatty acids in the lipid bilayer lead to … of ordered packing
Decrease
Cholesterol lead to … of ordered packing
Decrease
Presence of double bonds in the fatty acid chains leads to … of ordered packing
Decrease
Reduction of ordered packing leads to …
Membrane sets at a lower sptemp
Describe how the lipid bilayer is asymmetric
There is differential distribution of membrane proteins and another associated molecules/complexes
Glycolipids are almost always found … ?
On the outside of the cell
Where is Phosphotidyl-Serine almost always found?
What is its charge?
Inside
Negatively charged
What is important about phosphotidyl-inositols in the membrane?
These are important parts of signal transduction pathways
What is the structure of lipid rafts?
These are made up of sphingolipids which have long saturated fatty acid chains
What is the function of lipid rafts?
These provide regions for membrane proteins to reside and be localised