Cell Membrane Biology

A collection of flashcards covering key vocabulary related to the cell membrane in biology.

Cholesterol

Regulates the fluidity of the cell, forces water soluble materials to pass through intrinsic proteins.

Channel proteins in facilitated diffusion

Forms pores in the membrane for charged particles to diffuse through, doesn't use ATP energy.

Glycoprotein

Receptor site for hormones, acts as enzymes.

Intrinsic proteins

Provide structural support, channel and transport proteins.

Facilitated diffusion

Diffusion of larger molecules such as amino acids and ions from an area of high to low concentration through carrier or channel proteins.

Active transport

Uses ATP energy to move molecules and ions across the membrane from an area of low to high concentration through carrier proteins.

Hydrophobic

Water repelling.

Cell membrane function

Controls entry and exit of substances, compartmentalizes individual processes.

Hydrophilic

Water attracting.

Osmosis

Diffusion of free water molecules across a partially permeable membrane from an area of high to low concentration of water molecules.

Phospholipids

Forms a bilayer which is a barrier to water soluble substances such as ions; the head contains a phosphate group and is hydrophilic, while the tail is made of two fatty acids and is hydrophobic, providing flexibility as they move and rejoin.

Carrier proteins in facilitated diffusion

Larger molecules attach to a carrier protein in the membrane, the protein changes shape and releases the molecule on the opposite side of the membrane, doesn't use ATP energy.

Glycolipid

Recognition site for the immune system to recognize its own body cells and not attack them.