Biology: Plasma Membrane Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What is the other name for the plasma membrane?

Cell membrane

What is the function of the plasma membrane?

It regulates what enters and exits the cell.

Why is it important that the plasma membrane regulates what enters and leaves the cell?

Because it helps the cell and the organism maintain a steady internal environment.

What is the key structure of the plasma membrane?

It's made up of proteins and phospholipids. Signup and view all the answers

Is the head of the phospholipid hydrophilic or phobic?

True Signup and view all the answers

Is the tail of the phospholipid hydrophilic or phobic?

False Signup and view all the answers

Is the head of a phospholipid polar or non-polar?

True Signup and view all the answers

What are phospholipids?

They are the major component of cell membranes. Signup and view all the answers

Is the phospholipid tail polar or non-polar?

True Signup and view all the answers

What does the phospholipid head consist of?

A phosphate (PO4) Signup and view all the answers

What does the phospholipid tail consist of?

Two fatty acid tails Signup and view all the answers

What is the phospholipid wall called?

Phospholipid bilayer Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the proteins in the phospholipid bilayer called?

Channel protein Signup and view all the answers

How is glucose passed through the plasma membrane?

It is a larger molecule and is helped across the membrane by proteins. Signup and view all the answers

What is glucose helped by to cross the membrane?

Proteins Signup and view all the answers

Can starch and proteins pass the plasma membrane easily and why?

False Signup and view all the answers

What has to be broken down to go through the plasma membrane?

Starch and proteins only Signup and view all the answers

What can pass easily through the plasma membrane and why?

H2O, CO2, and O2 only, because they are small molecules. Signup and view all the answers

What is endocytosis?

The process by which a cell engulfs large particles by folding the membrane around the particle forming an intracellular vesicle. Signup and view all the answers

What are the solid particles when the cell engulfs large particles?

Phagocytosis Signup and view all the answers

What are the liquid particles when the cell engulfs the particles?

Pinocytosis Signup and view all the answers

What is exocytosis?

When particles are released from the cell e.g hormones, enzymes etc in reverse process of endocytosis. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Plasma Membrane Overview

Also known as the cell membrane, it serves as a boundary for cells, determining the movement of substances in and out.
Regulates entry and exit of materials, maintaining a steady internal environment for the cell and organism (homeostasis).

Structural Composition

Composed primarily of phospholipids and proteins.
Phospholipids have a hydrophilic (water-loving) head and two hydrophobic (water-fearing) fatty acid tails.
The phospholipid arrangement forms a bilayer, providing fluidity and flexibility to the membrane.

Properties of Phospholipids

The head of a phospholipid is polar, allowing it to interact with water.
The tails of phospholipids are non-polar, making them repellent to water.
The head consists of a phosphate group (PO4), while the tail consists of two fatty acid chains.

Protein Functions

Proteins embedded in the bilayer include channel proteins, which assist in the transport of larger molecules such as glucose.
Glucose, being larger, requires proteins to pass through the membrane rather than diffusing freely.

Transport Mechanisms

Small molecules like H2O, CO2, and O2 can easily traverse the membrane due to their size.
Larger molecules like starch and proteins cannot pass easily; they require breakdown for movement through the membrane.

Cellular Processes

Endocytosis allows cells to engulf large particles by folding the membrane around them to form intracellular vesicles.
Phagocytosis is the process of engulfing solid particles, while pinocytosis refers to the engulfing of liquids.
Exocytosis is the reverse process, where substances like hormones and enzymes are released from the cell.

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Description

Test your knowledge about the plasma membrane with these informative flashcards. Learn about its other names, functions, and importance in maintaining cellular homeostasis. Perfect for biology students looking to reinforce key concepts.