II. Cell Membrane & Selective Permeability Flashcards
(7 cards)
1
Q
What is the structure of the cell membrane?
A
Phospholipid bilayer with proteins and carbohydrates
2
Q
What are phospholipids made of?
A
Hydrophilic (polar) heads and hydrophobic (nonpolar) tails
3
Q
What do protein channels do in the membrane?
A
Help large or charged molecules cross
4
Q
What do carbohydrate chains do in the membrane?
A
Cell recognition
5
Q
What does selectively permeable mean?
A
Only certain substances can pass through the membrane
6
Q
Why can’t glucose diffuse directly through the membrane?
A
It’s large and polar; needs a protein channel
7
Q
How do hydrophilic and hydrophobic regions affect membrane structure?
A
Hydrophilic heads face water; hydrophobic tails face inward → bilayer
