Cell Membrane structure

Question 1

what is the function and structure of the plasma membrane

Answer 1

it defines the borders of cells and organelles and is selectively permeable
the fluid mosaic model describes the structure
consisting of phospholipids, cholesterol, proteins, and carbs

Question 2

what are phospholipids

Answer 2

they are molecules that consist of glycerol, 2 fatty acids, and a phosphate group
they are arranged in a bilayer
hydrophilic phospholipid heads face outwards and hydrophobic fatty acids face inwards

Question 3

what is the structure of cholesterol

Answer 3

it is a lipid that sits with the phospholipids in the core of the membrane
they make the membrane more rigid to maintain the cell shape

Question 4

how does temperature affect the membranes permeability

Answer 4

higher temperatures will make the membrane more fluid meaning a higher permeability

Question 5

how does solvent concentration affect the membrane permeability

Answer 5

the more soluble the phospholipid bilayer is, the more permeable the membrane will be

Question 6

how does pH affect permeability of the membrane

Answer 6

it will affect the protein structure in the cell membrane

Question 7

what is the fluid mosaic model

Answer 7

it described the structure of te plasma membrane as a mosaic of phospholipids, carbohydrates, proteins and cholesterol

Question 8

what does the bterm hydrophobic and hydrophilic mean

Answer 8

hydrophibic molecules repel water causing droplets to form
hydrophilic molecules are attracted to water