Membranes Flashcards
The internal and external environments of a cell are separated by a structure known as the plasma ____
membrane
What are the three molecular components of cellular membranes?
phospholipids
proteins
carbohydrates
The plasma membrane consists of a(n) ___
bilayer.
lipid
The two leaflets of a lipid bilayer are formed because
the polar head groups of phospholipids can interact with the polar interior and exterior of the cell.
Phospholipids have both hydrophobic and hydrophilic components. As such, they are said to be _____
amphipathic
What separates the internal contents of a cell from the extracellular environment?
The plasma membrane
The cell membrane is referred to as a mosaic because it is a mixture of what types of molecules?
proteins
carbohydrates
lipids
The three main types of macromolecules that comprise the plasma membrane are
lipids, proteins, and carbohydrates
Which of the following statements are consistent with the fluid-mosaic model?
- Phospholipids can move within the plane of the membrane.
- While lipids can move within the membrane, all proteins remain anchored in one location within the phospholipid bilayer.
- Membranes are mainly composed of proteins and phospholipids.
- Many membrane proteins move within the plane of the membrane.
Phospholipids can move within the plane of the membrane.
Membranes are mainly composed of proteins and phospholipids.
Many membrane proteins move within the plane of the membrane.
What is the basic structure of the plasma membrane?
a phospholipid bilayer
Cellular membranes are described as fluid because
their lipids and proteins can move relative to each other.
Which of the following statements explain why the phospholipid bilayer is composed of two leaflets?
- Membranes must interact with two polar environments, a hydrophilic cytoplasm and a hydrophilic extracellular environment.
- Two leaflets result when membrane components secreted from inside the cell match up with membrane components gathered from the environment.
- Hydrophobic nonpolar tails can be isolated into a hydrophobic environment between the two leaflets.
- Phospholipids are amphipathic and must interact with polar and nonpolar environments.
Membranes must interact with two polar environments, a hydrophilic cytoplasm and a hydrophilic extracellular environment.
Hydrophobic nonpolar tails can be isolated into a hydrophobic environment between the two leaflets.
Phospholipids are amphipathic and must interact with polar and nonpolar environments.
One layer, or half of a phospholipid bilayer, is termed a(n) ___
leaflet
A phospholipid molecule consists of:
a polar head and two nonpolar tails
Because the plasma membrane contains lipids, proteins, and carbohydrates, it is often described as a(n) ___
mosaic
According to the ______ model, membrane proteins and lipids are able to move relative to one another within the plasma membrane.
fluid-mosaic
Some molecules are known to move laterally in the plane of the membrane. As such, we can say the membrane is
fluid
A membrane protein that has a portion integrated into the hydrophobic region of the membrane is called a(n) ______ membrane protein.
intergral
A lipid bilayer is composed of ______ leaflet(s).
2
Phospholipids have both hydrophobic and hydrophilic components. As such, they are said to be
.
amphipathic
Which of the following statements is correct about a biological membrane that is fluid?
- The composition of the membrane changes over short periods of time.
- The structure of the membrane is solid and rigid but dissolves readily.
- Individual molecules can move within the membrane.
- Individual molecules remain in static locations.
Individual molecules can move within the membrane.
hich of the following statements are consistent with the fluid-mosaic model?
- While lipids can move within the membrane, all proteins remain anchored in one location within the phospholipid bilayer.
- Membranes are mainly composed of proteins and phospholipids.
- Phospholipids can move within the plane of the membrane.
- Many membrane proteins move within the plane of the membrane.
Membranes are mainly composed of proteins and phospholipids.
Phospholipids can move within the plane of the membrane.
Many membrane proteins move within the plane of the membrane.
Most phospholipids move freely within a semifluid membrane
laterally along the plane of the membrane in two dimensions
Which of the following proteins are integral membrane proteins?
- lipid-anchored proteins
- peripheral membrane proteins
- transmembrane proteins
- noncovalent helix proteins
lipid-anchored proteins
transmembrane proteins
What property of biological membranes describes the ability of individual molecules to move within the membrane?
Fluidity
Which of the following movements of a phospholipid are energetically favorable within the bilayer?
- lateral movements
- “flip-flop” transfer between leaflets
- rotational movements
- inversions
lateral movements
rotational movements
The fluidity of the plasma membrane can be increased by incorporating fatty acids with ______ tails or by incorporating ______ lipids.
shorter ; unsaturated
Why is it more appropriate to describe membranes as semifluid?
- Phospholipids spontaneously migrate between leaflets.
- Molecules move laterally within the membrane leaflet.
- Membrane proteins and lipids move freely in three dimensions.
- Phospholipids usually move in two dimensions.
Molecules move laterally within the membrane leaflet.
Phospholipids usually move in two dimensions.
Shorter nonpolar tails make the membrane ______ fluid.
more
A membrane protein that has a portion integrated into the hydrophobic region of the membrane is called a(n) ______ membrane protein.
integral
At a high temperature, cholesterol makes a membrane ______ fluid.
less
The plasma membrane of a cell is considered to be
selectively permeable.
Movements that keep the phospholipid nonpolar tail within the ___ region of the bilayer are energetically favorable.
hydrophobic
Which of the following changes in lipid composition would be expected to increase the fluidity of a phospholipid bilayer?
- Increasing the length of the fatty acid tails
- Incorporating more cholesterol at low temperatures
- Incorporating more cholesterol at high temperatures
- Incorporating more unsaturated fatty acids
Incorporating more cholesterol at low temperatures
Incorporating more unsaturated fatty acids
What are functions of the selectively permeable plasma membrane?
- provide a barrier that prevents the movement of any molecule into and out of the cell
- maintain a proper supply of essential molecules such as glucose and amino acids
- maintain a proper balance of ions within the cell
- remove waste products from within the cell
maintain a proper supply of essential molecules such as glucose and amino acids
maintain a proper balance of ions within the cell
remove waste products from within the cell
Membrane fluidity is increased when membrane lipids
have shorter nonpolar tails.
elect the true statements comparing simple and facilitated diffusion.
- Facilitated diffusion, but not simple diffusion, requires a transport protein.
- Both simple and facilitated diffusion require concentration gradients.
- Only simple diffusion requires a concentration gradient.
- Facilitated diffusion, but not simple diffusion, requires ATP.
Facilitated diffusion, but not simple diffusion, requires a transport protein.
Both simple and facilitated diffusion require concentration gradients.
How does cholesterol affect the plasma membrane at low temperatures?
It makes the membrane more fluid and prevents freezing.
What types of transport require a transport protein?
Active transport
Facilitated diffusion
All cells are surrounded by a ___ permeable plasma membrane, meaning that the membrane allows the passage of some molecules and ions but not others.
semi
The transport of a substance that requires an input of energy is called ___ transport.
active
Which of the following movements of a phospholipid are energetically favorable within the bilayer?
- inversions
- rotational movements
- lateral movements
- “flip-flop” transfer between leaflets
rotational movements
lateral movements
To move a substance through a membrane against a concentration gradient, which of the following are necessary?
- A transport protein
- A membrane vesicle
- A vacuole
- A source of energy
A transport protein
A source of energy
The selective ___ of the plasma membrane allows the cell to maintain a favorable internal environment.
permeability
A key similarity between simple and facilitated diffusion is that both require
concentration gradients.