Plasma Membrane Structure and Function

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Flashcards covering key vocabulary related to the structure and function of the plasma membrane.

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20 Terms

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Plasma Membrane

The biological membrane that separates and protects the interior of cells from the external environment and regulates the transport of substances.

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Phospholipid Bilayer

A double layer of phospholipids that makes up the plasma membrane; hydrophilic heads face outward and hydrophobic tails face inward.

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Hydrophilic Head

The part of a phospholipid that is attracted to water, consisting of a phosphate group.

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Hydrophobic Tails

The fatty acid chains of a phospholipid, which repel water.

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Fluid Mosaic Model

The model describing the plasma membrane as a fluid combination of lipids and proteins that move freely and allow for various functions.

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Glycoproteins

Proteins that have carbohydrates attached; involved in communication and recognition between cells.

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Cholesterol

A type of lipid that stabilizes and strengthens the cell membrane.

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Passive Transport

The movement of molecules across the membrane without the use of energy, along the concentration gradient.

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Diffusion

The process by which molecules spread from areas of high concentration to areas of low concentration.

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Facilitated Diffusion

A process where membrane proteins assist larger or polar molecules to pass through the plasma membrane.

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Osmosis

The diffusion of water through a selectively permeable membrane.

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Isotonic Solution

A solution with the same solute concentration as the inside of a cell, resulting in no net movement of water.

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Hypotonic Solution

A solution with a lower solute concentration outside a cell, leading to net water movement into the cell.

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Hypertonic Solution

A solution with a higher solute concentration outside a cell, causing water to move out of the cell.

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Active Transport

The movement of substances across a membrane that requires energy, often against a concentration gradient.

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Exocytosis

The process by which a cell releases large amounts of material by vesicles fusing with the cell membrane.

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Endocytosis

The process of taking in materials by forming a pocket around a particle and creating a vesicle.

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Phagocytosis

A type of endocytosis where a cell engulfs solid particles.

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Pinocytosis

A type of endocytosis where a cell engulfs liquids.

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Recognition Proteins

Membrane proteins that identify cells to the immune system; often glycoproteins.