Topic 2B- Cell Membranes + RP3, RP4 Flashcards
Including RP4, RP3
What surrounds cells?
A cell-surface membrane
What is a cell-surface membrane?
A barrier between the cell and its environment, controlling which substances enter and leave the cell.
What does partially permeable mean?
They let some molecules through but not others
How can substances move across the cell-surface membrane?
Diffusion
Osmosis
Active transport
In what type of cell can the organelles also be surrounded by a membrane?
Eukaryotic
What is the fluid mosaic model?
A description of the arrangement of molecules in the membrane.
Describe the phospholipids arrangement in a plasma membrane
- Bilayer
- Hydrophobic tails to inside
- Hydrophilic heads to outside
Why is the phospholipid bilayer described as fluid?
Because the phospholipids are constantly moving
What type of biological molecule is cholesterol?
Lipid
What is cholesterol’s function?
It gives the membrane stability
What type of membrane is cholesterol not present in?
Bacterial cell membranes
Where are cholesterol molecules found in cell membranes?
Between phospholipids
Describe how cholesterol gives cell membranes stability
- Cholesterol molecules bind to hydrophobic tails of phospholipids = causes them to pack more closely together
- Restricts movement of phospholipids
- Makes membrane less fluid and more rigid
What is the role of cholesterol in cell membranes?
- helps maintain the shape of animal cells
- controls fluidity of the membrane
How are proteins arranged in the bilayer?
They are scattered across it like a mosaic
How do proteins move in the bilayer?
Some are able to move sideways, while others are fixed in position
What is a glycoprotein?
A protein with a carbohydrate (polysaccharide chain) attached
What is a glycolipid?
A lipid with a polysaccharide chain attached
What do channel proteins and carrier proteins allow?
Allow large molecules and ions to pass through membrane
What do receptor proteins on the cell-surface membrane do?
Detect chemicals released from other cells
(chemicals signal to cell to respond in some way)
Name 3 functions of phospholipids in plasma membranes
- Allow lipid-soluble substances to enter & leave the cell
- Prevent water-soluble substances entering and leaving the cell
- Makes membrane flexible
Describe how the plasma membrane acts as a barrier to water-soluble substances
Centre of bilayer is hydrophobic ∴ membrane doesn’t allow water-soluble substances (like ions) through it
What are intrinsic proteins?
Proteins that span entire bilayer from one side to the other
What are extrinsic proteins?
Proteins are partly embedded in bilayer (occur either on surface of it)
What is Beetroot RP 4 investigating?
The permeability of cell membrane
RP4- State 2 factors that affect the permeability of cell membranes
Temperature
Concentration of solvents (ethanol)
RP4- How is beetroot used to measure the permeability of cell membranes?
The higher the permeability, the more red pigment that leaks out into the surrounding solution within a given time. A colorimeter can be used to determine the absorbance, hence concentration of pigment.
RP4- Outline the procedure to investigate the effect of temperature on permeability of cell membrane
- Cut beetroot into 6 identical cubes with a scalpel
- Place each cube in a different test tube with equal volumes of distilled water
- Place each test tube into water baths ranging from 30-80°C. Leave for 20 minutes
- Filter each solution out into a cuvette and measure the absorbance using a colorimeter
RP4- What are the safety hazards involved in testing the effect of ethanol concentration on membrane permeability?
Ethanol is an irritant, and is flammable, keep away from flames and wear eye protection
Keep sharp scalpel away from fingers
Handle hot liquid with care