2.5 Flashcards
(148 cards)
Fluid mosaic model
Theory of cell membrane structure with proteins embedded in a sea of phospholipids
Glycolipid
Lipid/phospholipid with a chain of carbohydrate molecules attached
Glycoproteins
Protein with a chain of carbohydrate molecules attached
Plasma membrane
Cell surface membrane
Diffusion
Movement of molecules from area of high concentration to low, may or may not be across a membrane and doesn’t involve metabolic energy (ATP)
Facilitated diffusion
Movement of molecules from an area of high to low concentration, across partially permeable membrane via protein channels or carriers, doesn’t involve metabolic energy (ATP)
Osmosis
Passage of water molecules down their water potential gradient across partially permeable membrane
Water potential
Measure of the tendency of water molecules to diffuse from one region to another
What is purpose of cell membrane
To form a barrier and separate cell content from cell exterior environment, or to separate organelles from cytoplasm
What do cell membranes need to do
Need to allow some molecules through, into or out of the cell, some organelles also have membranes within them which form barriers too
What does permeability refer to
The ability to let substances pass through
How do small molecules pass a membrane
Simply diffuse through cell membrane, in between its structural molecules
How apart from simply diffusing how do other larger molecules pass a membrane
Some substances dissolve in the lipid bilayer and pass through and others pass through special protein channels or are carried by carrier proteins
Why are plasma membranes described as partially permeable
As they don’t let all types of molecules pass through them
What determines a membranes permeability
Properties of the component molecules if the cell membrane, such as which molecules it allows through
What is the role of the plasma membrane
Separates cell content from external environment and regulates transport of materials in and out of the cell
What enzymes may plasma membrane contain
Enzymes involved in specific metabolic pathway, which has antigens
Why may plasma membrane contain enzymes
So that organisms immune system can recognise the cell as being ‘itself’ and not attacking it, they may release chemicals that signal to other cells
What else does the plasma membrane surface contain and for what
Contains receptors for such chemical signals and so its a site for cell communication or signalling, hormones and drugs may bind to membrane bound receptors and may be site of chemical reactions
What is the purpose of organelle membranes
Helps each organelle to have a discrete entity and able to perform its function
In some organelles where do metabolic processes occur
On membranes
What is the purpose of mitochondria folded inner membrane called Cristae
They give a large SA for reactions and some enzymes
What is purpose of chloroplasts inner membrane called thylakoid
Have chlorophyll for photosynthesis to occur
What is role of digestive enzymes in epithelial cells which line small intestines
They catalyse breakdown of some sugars