Cell Membrane vocab

Phospholipid

The main component (the smallest part) of a lipid bilayer, composed of a hydrophilic head and a fatty acid tail.

Polarity

the uneven distribution of charge in molecules (like water) or the asymmetric organization of cells, creating distinct ends

Charged / Uncharged

polar and nonpolar molecules

Hydrophilic

describes molecules or substances attracted to water (the heads)

Hydrophobic

molecules that repel water (the tails)

Phosphate

it's polar like water (the heads)

Saturated fatty acid chains

the chains are straight and easy to pack tightly, which lowers the fluidity.

Unsaturated fatty acid chains

kinks in the chains make it harder for the chains to pack tightly. This increases fluidity.

Cholesterol

Gives the cell membrane strength and structure by regulating fluidity at different temperatures.

Glycolipid

the combination of an antigen and fatty acid tails

Glycoprotein

The combination of an antigen and a protein

Antigen

ID tags that announce what a cell is and where they belong

Antibody

You do not want something to visit ever again, so you make a protein that perfectly fits their antigen (nametag) like a puzzle piece.

Peripheral

A protein that stays OUTSIDE of the fatty acid TAIL area

Integral

A protein that goes into the TAIL region from either side.

Transmembrane

crosses all the way through the cell membrane

Globular

globe-shaped; spherical.

Fibrous

consisting of or characterized by fibers.

Enzyme

reaction they speed up

Fluid Mosaic Model

The idea that the membrane is in constant motion and is made of repeating Pieces

Anchor protein

proteins that attach the cell membrane to the cytoskeleton. This gives the cell structure and allows easy movement of the entire cell.

Ligand

a molecule or ion that binds to another, larger molecule (like a protein or metal) to form a complex, acting as a key to a lock

Junction protein

The NAME for a protein that connects cells.

Receptor proteins

are not only involved in transport, but cell recognition and communication as well

Passive transport

transport, no energy required

2nd law of thermodynamics

In nature, energy flows from high (conc.) to low (conc.) or from order to disorder or from Hot to Cold

concentration gradient

the difference in the amount (concentration) of a substance between two areas

Entropy

Nature ALWAYS increases CHAOS

Dynamic equilibrium

Once the molecules are about even, they stay equal but don’t stop moving completely.

Simple diffusion

the passive movement of molecules from a high concentration area to a low concentration area

Facilitated Diffusion

the passive movement of molecules across a cell membrane, from high to low concentration

Channel Protein

do not change shape, they act like a straw/ tunnel that items flow through.

Carrier Protein

picks up and moves molecules from one side of a membrane to the other. Change in shape

Osmosis

the diffusion of WATER

Solution

mixture of solids and liquids

Solute

a solid substance that is dissolved or put into the solvent.

Solvent

The liquid into which the solid is poured and dissolved.

Hypertonic

It must have MORE SOLUTES than what you are comparing it to.

Hypotonic

Lower solute concentration; Higher water concentration than the cell

Isotonic

The concentration of solutes in the solution is equal to the concentration of solutes inside the cell.

Cytolysis

cell-break, Water moves inside the cell, causing it to swell.

Crenation

Hypertonic. Animal cell

Plasmolysis

Hypertonic. Plant cell

Turgid

Hypotonic. Plant cell

Flaccid

Isotonic Plant cell

Contractile Vacuole

a specialized organelle in freshwater protists

Active transport

Uses Energy

Sodium-potassium pump

a vital cell membrane protein that uses energy (ATP) to pump three sodium ions (Na+) out of a cell and two potassium ions (K+) into the cell

Protein pump

Active Transport requires a Carrier protein

ATP

Energy

Conformational change

change in shape

Phosphorylate

to add a phosphate group

dephosphorylate

to remove a phosphate group

Endocytosis

Bringing Large molecules into the cell

Phagocytosis

Bring in a solid- cellular eating

Pinocytosis

Bring in a liquid -cellular drinking

Receptor mediated endocytosis

something specific

Exocytosis

Large molecules exiting the cell

Transport vesicle

the vesicle that helps in Endocytosis

Secretory vesicle

the vesicle that helps in Exocytosis

Selective permeability (semipermeable)

membrane's ability to allow certain molecules or ions to pass through it while blocking others