Membranes - Module 2 Flashcards
What are the 2 physical functions of cell membranes?
- Separate contents of cells from their environment
- Separate different organelles within cell
Describe the phospholipid bilayer
Hydrophilic heads point out and the hydrophobic tails are in the centre
What is the fluid mosaic model?
The membrane as phospholipids are free to move within each other giving flexibility and proteins embedded differently in size and shape
What are intrinsic proteins?
Proteins that are embedded through both layers of membrane
What is the role of a channel protein?
A hydrophilic channel allowing passive movement of polar molecules down a concentration gradient
What is a carrier protein?
Involved in both passive and active transport into cells and the protein often has to change shape
What is a glycoprotein? And what is its role?
Intrinsic protein with attached carbohydrate chain
Play a role in cell adhesion in tissue formation and cell signalling
What are two specific cell signalling roles of glycoproteins?
- Receptors for acetylcholine at synapses
- Receptors for hormones such as insulin and glucagon
What are glycolipids? And what is their role?
Intrinsic lipids with carbohydrate group attached
Are antigens and are recognised by the immune system
What are extrinsic proteins?
Proteins present in only once size of the bilayer, some may move between layers
What is the role of cholesterol in cell membrane?
Controls the fluidity of the membrane
Why does temperature affect cell membrane? [2]
As the bilayer is always moving, increased temperature means increased kinetic energy so it will move more and become more fluid and it will eventually lose its structure and become permeable
Carrier and channel proteins will be denatured
How do solvents affect the cell membrane?
Organic solvents can dissolve membrane or cause damaged making it more permeable
What is diffusion?
Movement of particles from a region of high concentration to a region of low concentration until an equilibrium is reached (passive process)
What two factors affect the rate of diffusion? And why?
- Temperature - particles have higher kinetic energy and will move faster
- Steep concentration gradient - the greater the difference the faster the diffusion