Biology Structure of the Cell Membrane.

Created by: Franke
Created on: 27-10-14 20:18

What is a plasma membrane and why is it needed?

The Plasma membrane/ Cell membrane surrounds every cell, forming the selectively permeable boundary between the cell and its environment. It is needed as it allows substances in the cell to leave and substances outside the cell to enter.

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Define 'Hydrophillic'

Water loving molecule i.e phosphate head on a phospholipid.

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Define 'Hydrophobic'

Water hating molecule i.e fatty acid tails on a phospholipid.

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Why is the 'Fluid Mosaic' model used to describe the structure of the cell membrane?

Fluid as the phospholipid bilayer is free to move around and Mosaic as the proteins in the bilayer are all different shapes and sizes.

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Explain the different function of the proteins in the membrane?

Hormone binding sites, electron carriers, transport substances via channels, carriers and pumps, water soluble molecules and ions can diffuse through protein pores. (have specific shapes that determines function)

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What are the functions of the phospholipids in the cell membrane?

they form the lipid bilayer, provide a barrier to water, help to make the membrane fluid and allow lipid soluble molecules to diffuse through the phospholipid bilayer.

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what are the roles of glycoproteins in cell membranes?

recognition and binding sites for some molecules, cell to cell recognition and communication, receptors for hormones, antigen recognition.

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What types of molecules diffuse through protein pores?

Ions diffuse (facilitated) through channel proteins and large molecules like glucose and amino acids use carrier proteins to diffuse (facilitated)

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