Membranes Flashcards
5 roles of membranes within the cell or on the surface
within: 1. compartmentalize organelles
2. isolates harmful enzymes in lysosomes
surface: 1. recognition by other cells (immune system)
2. partially permeable so control what enters and leaves the cell.
both: can form vesicles to transport substances
define and explain compartmentalization
the division of organelles within a cell which allows for specific microenvironments within the cell so each organelle has the optimum conditions to perform at its best ability.
define partially permeable
permeable to only some molecules but not others
define cell signaling
the way cells are able to interact with their environment and other cells, to either detect nutrients or to be involved in communication.
define phospholipid bilayer
a thin polar molecule made of two layers of lipid molecules which acts as a partially permeable membrane.
what is the fluid mosaic model of membrane structure
it describes the structure of an animals plasma
membrane. The fluid refers to the flexibility of the model and the mosaic to how the components are put together in lots of small pieces.
define cell adhesion
the process where neighboring cells attach through specialized molecules on their surface.
how does cholesterol affect the fluidity and stability of membranes?
fluidity: the presence of cholesterol regulates fluidity as it prevents ordered packaging of lipids increasing the fluidity of motion.
stability: without it cells will burst open as their membranes break. Their hydrophobic regions help to prevent ions or polar molecules inadvertently passing through the membrane.
How does cell signaling work?
- cells release a molecule e.g hormone
- signaling molecules bind to specific receptor molecules on plasma membrane of target cells
- signaling molecules have a complementary shape to the membrane receptor
- response in the cell
types of cell signaling
local signaling- cells close by, paracrine secretion
local signaling- nerve impulses across synapse
distance secretion- endocrine secretion, hormones into the blood
distance secretion- neurosecretion, hormones into the blood
what is the effect of a high temp on cell membranes
high temp increases fluidity- fatty acid tails become less rigid and allow more movement of proteins and other molecules in the membrane the membrane becomes more permeable. Integral and peripheral proteins can be damaged.
what is the effect of a low temp on membrane structure
stiffens the membrane- fatty acid tails move less and become more rigid decreasing fluidity and permeability potentially restricting entry of important molecules
what is the effect of a low temp on membrane structure
stiffens the membrane- fatty acid tails move less and become more rigid decreasing fluidity and permeability potentially restricting entry of important molecules e.g. oxygen
why is water as essential solvent in membranes
the non polar tails in the phospholipids are orientated away from the water forming a bilayer with a hydrophobic core, the charged polar heads interact wit the water keeping the bilayer intact.
what is the effect of solvent concentration on permeability of cell membranes
organic solvents are less polar than water so will dissolve membranes disrupting cells - why antiseptic wipes use alcohols as it dissolves the membrane on the bacteria killing them and reducing the risk of infection.
describe how to investigate the effect of temperature on membrane permeability
- have 5 different test tubes labelled with 5 different temperatures (20,35,45,60,80)
- place 5 beetroot discs in 15cm3 of distilled water in each test tube
- place 5 test tubes in the water bath
- when the thermometer reaches each temperature take the same test tube out of the water bath
- place the test tube in a cold water cooling beaker
- ue a pipette to transfer each solution to a cuvette
- use a colorimeter to measure the absorbance for each temperature.
define cytosis and the types
movement quantity of large molecules which requires ATP
Exocytosis: bulk transport of substances out of the cell
Endocytosis: bulk transport of substances into the cell
Pinocytosis: to take in or get rid of liquid materials
Phagocytosis: to take in or get rid of solid materials
define active transport
the movement of molecules or ions across a membrane in the opposite direction of the concentration gradient which requires ATP and uses intrinsic carrier proteins as pumps (sopi pump)