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Questions and Answers
What is the main function of the phospholipid bilayer in a cell?
What type of transport does not require energy?
What is the term for the ability of the plasma membrane to control what enters and leaves the cell?
What is the name of the model that describes the structure and function of the plasma membrane?
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What type of proteins are embedded within the phospholipid bilayer and involved in transport?
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What is the main function of integral proteins?
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Study Notes
Structure
- Phospholipid bilayer: two layers of lipid molecules with hydrophilic heads and hydrophobic tails
- Embedded proteins:
- Integral proteins: span the membrane, involved in transport, signaling, and cell-cell interactions
- Peripheral proteins: attached to the membrane surface, involved in signaling and cell-cell interactions
Functions
- Cellular barrier: separates internal environment from external environment
-
Transport: regulates movement of molecules in and out of the cell
- Passive transport: diffusion, osmosis
- Active transport: energy-dependent transport
- Cell signaling: receives and transmits signals through receptors and signaling pathways
- Cell-cell interactions: involved in cell adhesion, recognition, and communication
- Cell shape and support: provides structural support and maintains cell shape
Fluid Mosaic Model
- Plasma membrane is a dynamic, fluid structure with embedded proteins
- Lipid molecules are in constant motion, allowing for protein movement and interaction
Selective Permeability
- Allows certain molecules to pass through while restricting others
- Depends on factors such as molecule size, charge, and solubility
- Maintains cellular homeostasis by regulating the exchange of materials
Structure of Plasma Membrane
- Phospholipid bilayer consists of two layers of lipid molecules with hydrophilic heads and hydrophobic tails
- Embedded proteins are classified into two types:
- Integral proteins that span the membrane and are involved in transport, signaling, and cell-cell interactions
- Peripheral proteins that are attached to the membrane surface and involved in signaling and cell-cell interactions
Functions of Plasma Membrane
Cellular Barrier
- Separates the internal environment from the external environment
Transport
- Regulates movement of molecules in and out of the cell
- Includes passive transport (diffusion, osmosis) and active transport (energy-dependent transport)
Cell Signaling
- Receives and transmits signals through receptors and signaling pathways
Cell-Cell Interactions
- Involved in cell adhesion, recognition, and communication
Cell Shape and Support
- Provides structural support and maintains cell shape
Fluid Mosaic Model
- Plasma membrane is a dynamic, fluid structure with embedded proteins
- Lipid molecules are in constant motion, allowing for protein movement and interaction
Selective Permeability
- Allows certain molecules to pass through while restricting others
- Depends on factors such as molecule size, charge, and solubility
- Maintains cellular homeostasis by regulating the exchange of materials
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Description
Learn about the phospholipid bilayer, embedded proteins, and functions of the cell membrane, including its role as a cellular barrier and transport regulator.
