topic two - biological membrane - miss whitehouse Flashcards

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1
Q

why do cells need membranes?

A

control entry and exit of molecules

separate cell contents from outside
environment (tissue fluid)

separate cell components from cytoplasm

cell recognition and cell signalling

holding the components of metabolic
reactions in place

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2
Q

what percentage of plasma membrane makes up phospholipids?

A

phospholipids make up around 75% of plasma membranes

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3
Q

what four things does plasma include?

A

proteins
glycoproteins
cholesterol
polysaccharides

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4
Q

explain bilayer and why is happens this way?

A

the phosphate group “head” is polar and hydrophilic (water loving)

the fatty acid “tails” are non polar and hydrophobic (water hating)

the ‘head’ always faces the water and the tail goes in between the heads making sure it’s does get wet

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5
Q

what are the five types of molecules that make up the cell surface (plasma) membrane?

A

phospholipids

cholesterol

proteins – integral (go all the way through
the bilayer) and peripheral (don’t span the
bilayer)

glycoproteins

glycolipids

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6
Q

give some examples of differentiation?

A

many receptors for growth hormones in the cells of a
growing plant shoot

chlorophyll molecules in the inner chloroplast membrane

receptors to foreign bodies on the surface of white
blood cells

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7
Q

state the five steps of freeze fracture?

A

cell is rapidly frozen in liquid nitrogen

cell is cleaved along the fracture plane that splits the 
lipid bilayer (exposing proteins embedded in membrane) 

after fracture, the two sections are coated/shadowed
with a heavy metal like platinum

acid is used next to dissolve the organic material,
resulting in a replica of the surfaces of the sample

the replicas are then viewed with an electron
microscope

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8
Q

explain why the model for membrane structure is known as the fluid mosaic model?

A

the phospholipid molecules can move freely
laterally and makes the membrane fluid.

the proteins are distributed throughout the
membrane unevenly and in a mosaic pattern

the agreed structure is based upon
experimental and chemical evidence and so is
classed as a model

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9
Q

label a fluid mosaic model structure?

A

use the olc to check answers

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10
Q

define and explain ‘phospholipids’?

A

hydrophobic centre prevents diffusion of polar molecules (some water does get through)

fatty acids can be saturated or unsaturated. Unsaturated fatty acids pack in less tightly due to a “kinked” molecular shape, meaning a more fluid
membrane

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11
Q

define and explain ‘cholesterol’?

A

regulates membrane fluidity/stability

fits between fatty acid tails and bind them together to make the barrier more complete

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12
Q

define and explain ‘proteins’?

A

enzymes catalyse reactions e.g. respiration and photosynthesis

channel proteins – allow the passive diffusion of polar
molecules (facilitated diffusion). Channel is hydrophilic

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13
Q

define and explain ‘glycolipids’?

A

phospholipids with polysaccharide attached on the OUTSIDE

cell recognition and communication

glycolipids and glycoproteins together make up the
glycocalyx layer (for cell recognition so cells group
together to form tissues)

can stabilise the membrane by forming hydrogen bonds with surrounding water molecules

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14
Q

define membrane permeability?

A

a measure of how easily molecules can cross a plasma membrane - the more permeable the easier it is for molecules to cross

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15
Q

state the effects of solvents on membrane permeability?

A

some organic solvents e.g. ethanol can dissolve the lipids in cell membrane causing the membrane to lose its structure

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16
Q

effects on increase in temp on membrane?

A

increases the fluidity and increases the kinetic energy of molecules leads to an increase in membrane permeability

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17
Q

effects on decrease in temp?

A

decrease fluidity, decreases kinetic energy of molecules leads to a decrease in membrane permeability

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18
Q

what does a higher proportion of unsaturated fatty acids do to the membrane?

A

increase fluidity, phospholipids can’t be packed as tightly

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19
Q

define passive transport and how it effects small and large molecules?

A

moving molecules down a concentration gradient and doesn’t require energy to move

small molecules e.g. co2 and o2 diffuses through the bilayer

large molecules (polar) need to be carried across the membrane by facilitated diffusion

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20
Q

how does water mostly move?

A

by osmosis

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21
Q

state the two passive processes and what they do?

A

simple diffusion - the movement of molecules/ions
from a region of high concentration
to a region of low concentration until an equilibrium is reached

facilitated diffusion - using a channel protein which forms a pore in the membrane

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22
Q

define net movement?

A

random movement of ions or molecules from high to low concentration

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23
Q

define the 5 factors affecting diffusion?

A

temp - as it increases molecules have more kinetic energy so diffusion will increase

diffusion distance - thicker the membrane across which molecules have to diffuse the slower the rate

surface area - more diffusion can take place

size of diffusing molecules - small molecules diffuse more rapidly

concentrating gradient - the steeper the gradient the faster the diffusion

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24
Q

define active process?

A

requires energy in the form of ATP to more molecules across a membrane

molecule move against the concentration gradient

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25
Q

define active transport?

A

moves molecules against a concentration gradient and requires both ATP and carrier proteins

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26
Q

state how a carrier protein works?

A

ATP transfers a phosphate group to the carrier protein on the inside of the membrane

carrier protein changes shape

molecule is carried through to other side of the membrane

when molecule is released the carrier protein returns to its original shape

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27
Q

use of active transport?

A

minerals are essential for plant growth and are found in the soil

active transport moves the minerals into the root hair cells

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28
Q

what are the two main types of endocytosis?

A

phagocytosis- cell eating (solid material)

pinocytosis- cell drinking (liquid materials)

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29
Q

what is exocytosis?

A

the vesicles fuse with the plasma membrane to release the vesicle content

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30
Q

define a channel protein?

A

opens up space across the membrane and allows entry or exit

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31
Q

define carrier protein?

A

they are able to allow the diffusion across the membrane

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32
Q

difference and similarities with facilitated and simple diffusion?

A

differences - active transport against the gradient
facilitated is down the gradient

similarities - both use proteins

33
Q

why are some membranes up to 100x more permeable?

A

because of the presence of aquaporins - specialised channel of proteins

34
Q

what is water potential measured in and what does pure water equal?

A

kPa - kilopascals

pure water - 0kPa

35
Q

what does dissolving solutes do?

A

lowers the water potential, so it becomes more negative

36
Q

how does water move (in terms of + & -)

A

moves from less negative to more negative potential

37
Q

what does water potential equal?

A

solute potential + pressure potential

38
Q

what is solute potential?

A

is the concentration of dissolved substances in the cell - a measure of reduction in water potential due to water molecules being negative

39
Q

define pressure potential?

A

pressure exerted on the cell contents by cell wall or membrane

40
Q

what happens when you place cells in pure water?

A

osmosis - water moves from outside to inside the cell

41
Q

what happens when plant cells are placed in water?

A

in a plant cell, the cytoplasm and vacuole
swell until the cell wall resists the increasing
osmotic pressure – no more osmosis occurs
(turgor)

42
Q

what happens when animal cells are placed in water?

A

in an animal cell, the cell may burst as there is no
cell wall to withstand the increasing pressure
(haemolysis)

43
Q

what happens when plant cells are placed in a concentrated solution?

A

in plant cells the plasma membrane is pulled
away from the cell wall as the cytoplasm shrivels

plant cells become plasmolysed

44
Q

what happens when animal cells are placed in concentrated solution?

A

cell shrinks and appears wrinkled - it is crenated

45
Q

review the osmosis potato practical?

A

OLC

46
Q

why do fresh water fish take in water through osmosis?

A

there blood is more concentrated then the surrounding water

47
Q

where does a fresh water fish take in water and why?

A

through the gills because they have thin membranes

48
Q

like fresh water fish, sea water fish take up water by osmosis through the gills, suggest how they keep the concentration constant in sea water fishes?

A

the gills expel the excess salt from the blood

49
Q

what happens in cell signallling?

A

how cells communicate with each other, using signal
molecules

some signals take place inside cells, while other signals carry messages from one cell to another

50
Q

state four uses cell signalling?

A

cell signalling controls many cellular processes, including cell division, cell death and cell differentiation

51
Q

which type of molecule usually acts as a receptor?

A

protein molecules

52
Q

uvhefekfje

A

djehhjeh

53
Q

define hormones?

A

hormones are chemical messengers made by glands and carried in the bloodstream to act on target organs

54
Q

what do hormones form part of?

A

form part of an animal’s endocrine system they can trigger different responses in different cells

55
Q

what are the two types of hormones?

A

steroid

protein and peptide

56
Q

what is a steroid hormone?

A

sex hormones such as testosterone, progesterone,

oestrogen, mineralocorticoids, glucocorticoids

57
Q

can steroid hormones pass through the plasma membrane?

A

yes – diffuse through the phospholipid bilayer

58
Q

where are the receptor of steroid hormones found?

A

within the cell - have an effect on synthesis of

proteins

59
Q

examples of protein and polypeptide and where they derivatives from?

A

derivatives of amino acids

e.g insulin, glucagon, adrenaline

60
Q

can protein and polypeptide pass through the membrane and how do they act on the cell?

A

no – proteins are hydrophilic

must bind to cell surface receptors

61
Q

what shapes are drugs?

A

they have complementary shapes to the cell surface receptors

62
Q

what shape are drugs?

A

they have a complementary shape to the cell surface receptor

63
Q

what are drugs used for?

A

can be used to block receptors to inhabit cell activity and to unlock cell receptors to simulate cell activity and trigger a response

64
Q

what is morphine and how does it work?

A

a drug is relieve pain

the body naturally produces chemicals called endorphins to relieve the pain

65
Q

what do beta blockers treat?

A

treat arrhythmia (irregular heart rate), heart failure and hypertension (high blood pressure)

66
Q

how do beta blockers work and what they do?

A

beta receptors in the heart muscle usually receive impulses that increase heart rate

beta blockers block beta receptors to reduce heart rate and blood pressure

67
Q

what are histamines?

A

histamines are chemicals released following cell damage, causing inflammation in neighbouring cells by binding to receptors

68
Q

what do antihistamines do?

A

antihistamines block histamine receptors to prevent

inflammation and reduce pain, redness and swelling

69
Q

what is Botox?

A

toxin from the bacterium Clostridium botulinum

70
Q

how does plasma work?

A

binds to receptors on plasma membranes of muscle cells

blocks binding of neurotransmitters such as
acetlycholine – leads to paralysis of muscle

permanent relaxation prevents formation of wrinkles

71
Q

what does throazine treat?

A

drug used to treat schizophrenia

72
Q

what is schizophernia?

A

disturbances in areas of brain associated with thought,

perception, attention, motor behaviour and emotion

73
Q

what is dopamine and what could imbalances of dopamine cause?

A

dopamine is a neurotransmitter

imbalances in dopamine levels are thought to lead to
schizophrenia

74
Q

what is insulin?

A

a protein hormone produced by cells in the pancreas in response to high blood glucose levels

75
Q

state the effects of insulin on the liver?

A

activates enzymes that change glucose molecules so they can’t leave the cell

increase permeability of liver cells to glucose

activates hormones that convert glucose into the storage molecule glycogen

76
Q

muscle cells also have insulin receptors, suggest what the binding of insulin does to the muscle cells?

A

the binding of insulin increase the number of glucose channels in the membrane for increased uptake

77
Q

what do viruses do?

A

they enter the cell by binding to the receptors on the plasma membrane of the host cells

78
Q

an example of viruses binding to receptors?

A

the HIV virus enters the cells of the immune system - its shape is complementary to the receptor