12 Questions
What is the main function of the plasma membrane?
To maintain the essential differences between the cytosol and the extracellular environment
What is the common general structure of all biological membranes?
A thin film of lipid and protein molecules held together mainly by noncovalent interactions
What provides the basic fluid structure of the membrane?
Lipid bilayer
Which organelles maintain characteristic differences through their membranes inside eukaryotic cells?
Nucleus, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, mitochondria
What do most membrane proteins mediate in the membrane?
Transport of specific molecules across it
What is the role of the lipid bilayer in the membrane?
Provides a relatively impermeable barrier to the passage of most water-soluble molecules
What is the main reason for the bilayer structure of the lipid bilayer?
The special properties of the lipid molecules
What makes up about 30% of the proteins encoded in an animal’s genome?
Membrane proteins
Which type of lipids have a polar head group containing a phosphate group and two hydrophobic hydrocarbon tails?
Phospholipids
In most animal cell membranes, what are the tails of the phospholipids usually made of?
Fatty acids
Which factor influences how phospholipid molecules pack against one another, thereby affecting the fluidity of the membrane?
Length and saturation of the fatty acid tails
Which type of lipids are built from sphingosine rather than glycerol?
Sphingolipids
Test your knowledge about the crucial role of membranes in cell function, including the composition and functions of the plasma membrane, as well as the characteristics of membranes in various organelles within eukaryotic cells.
Make Your Own Quizzes and Flashcards
Convert your notes into interactive study material.
Get started for free
