The Cell Membrane Flashcards
Describe main features of fluid mosaic model of the cell membrane
a
Recognise the main membrane lipids and their general biophysical properties
a
Recognise the ‘Head and Tails’ structure of membrane lipids and how this results in their amphipathic properties
as
Understand how amphipathic molecules behave in aqueous environments and how this leads to the formation of lipid bilayers
a
Discuss the influence of unsaturated fatty acids and cholesterol on membrane fluidity
a
Understand how sphingolipids and cholesterol regions of the membrane form rafts
a
Recognise the key role of hydration in maintenance of physiological membrane structure and function
a
Understand the importance of flexibility and elasticity in the cell membrane moving within three dimensions over time
a
Recognise proteins are flexible and elastic – a key structural feature that enables function
a
Know that hydration within is essential to both protein structure and function
a
Recognise that proteins exhibit varying degrees of mobility within the membrane bilayer
a
Recognise conformational changes in proteins often underpin protein function.
a
Recognise the different categories of the relationship of proteins with the membrane: Peripheral; Integral; Lipid Anchored Proteins
a
Be familiar with lipid rafts as specialised membrane regions that may purposely constrain protein mobility
a
Describe the restrictions on protein movement in the membrane exemplified by the integral and peripheral protein interaction with cytoskeletal elements as exemplified by RBCs
a
