Membrane Structure Flashcards
What are membranes?
They are structures that separate the contents of the cell from the external environment
Define compartmentalisation.
Compartmentalisation is the formation of separate membrane-bound areas within the cell
Why is compartmentalisation important?
Vital to a cell as metabolism includes many different and incompatible reactions
What is the name given to the cell surface membrane that separates the cell from its internal environment?
Plasma Membrane
What makes up the Plasma membrane?
Phospholipid bilayer
Describe the two aspects of the bilayer and relationship with water.
Hydrophobic fatty acid tail and hydrophilic phosphate head
Knowing that the inside of cells usually exist in aqueous environments, suggest why Phospholipid bilyaer is perfectly suited as a membrane?
The outer surfaces of hydrophilic heads can interact with water therefore they’re able to exist in aqueous conditions
Explain why the plasma membrane is referred to as ‘Fluid-mosaic model.’
Phospholipids are able to move within the layer, relative to each other therefore they’re fluid, providing the membrane with flexibility. And due to different proteins that come in different sizes, shapes and positions they’re known as mosaic, similar to the tiles of a mosaic.
How does the movement of the phospholipid bilayer affect other components?
It causes the other components to move.
