Video Notes: Cell Membrane, Phospholipid Bilayer, and Signaling

Vocabulary flashcards covering cell membrane structure, lipid types, receptor-ligand interactions, and signaling concepts from the lecture notes.

Cell membrane

A phospholipid bilayer that forms the boundary of the cell and hosts membrane proteins.

Phospholipid bilayer

Two layers of phospholipids with hydrophilic heads facing outward and hydrophobic tails inward, creating the membrane's basic structure.

Unsaturated fats

Fatty acids containing one or more double bonds that contribute to membrane fluidity (often discussed in relation to lipid composition).

General principle: bringing molecules together

Biochemical interactions are facilitated by mechanisms that bring molecules into proximity so they can interact rather than forcing contact.

Beta-pleated sheet

A type of protein secondary structure described as a sheet-like arrangement; used in notes as an analogy for how multiple elements can bring molecules together.

Anchors (in signaling pathways)

Membrane-associated elements that help bring interacting molecules into proximity to enable signaling interactions.

Receptor

A membrane protein whose job is to interact with a specific ligand.

Ligand

A molecule that binds to a receptor to elicit a response.

Conformational change

A shape change in a protein, often inside the cell, triggered by ligand binding.