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Eukaryotic cells
Cells that have a true nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.
Organelles
Compartments within a cell that are specialized for different functions.
Lipid bilayer
A double layer of lipid molecules that forms the basis of cell membranes.
Nucleus
The central organelle in eukaryotic cells that contains the cell's DNA.
Endoplasmic reticulum (ER)
A network of membrane-bound sacs involved in protein and lipid synthesis.
Cytoskeleton
A network of protein filaments that provides structural support and facilitates cell movement.
Mitochondrium
The organelle responsible for generating ATP, the cell's main source of energy.
Golgi apparatus
A system of membrane-bound sacs involved in modifying and sorting proteins and lipids.
Lysosome
An organelle that contains enzymes for breaking down waste materials and cellular debris.
Smooth ER
A region of the endoplasmic reticulum involved in lipid synthesis.
Rough ER
A region of the endoplasmic reticulum studded with ribosomes and involved in protein synthesis.
Nuclear envelope
The double membrane that surrounds the nucleus.
Ribosomes
Cellular structures responsible for protein synthesis.
Cisternae
Flattened membrane sacs within the Golgi apparatus and endoplasmic reticulum.
Cis face
The receiving side of the Golgi apparatus.
Trans face
The shipping side of the Golgi apparatus.
Outer membrane
The outer layer of the mitochondrion.
Inner membrane
The inner layer of the mitochondrion, folded into structures called cristae.
Free ribosomes
Ribosomes that are not attached to the endoplasmic reticulum.
Matrix
The innermost compartment of the mitochondrion.
Permeability
The ability of a substance to pass through a membrane.
Phospholipids
The main class of molecules in cell membranes, consisting of a phosphate-based head group and two fatty acid chains.
Hydrophobic
Repelled by water.
Hydrophilic
Attracted to water.
Lipid bilayers
Double layers of phospholipids that form cell membranes.
Van der Waals interactions
Weak attractive forces between molecules.
Leaflet
Each layer of the lipid bilayer.
Phosphoglycerides
A type of phospholipid with two fatty acid chains bound to glycerol phosphate.
Sphingolipids
Lipids derived from the amino alcohol sphingosine.
Sterols
Lipids characterized by four hydrocarbon rings, such as cholesterol.
Lipid composition
The specific types and proportions of lipids present in a membrane, which can affect its properties.
Phosphatidyl choline (PC)
A type of phospholipid found in membranes.
Phosphatidyl ethanolamine (PE)
A type of phospholipid found in membranes.
Phosphatidyl serine (PS)
A type of phospholipid found in membranes.
Sphingomyelin (SM)
A type of phospholipid found in membranes.
Van der Waals interactions
Weak attractive forces between molecules, such as phospholipids, that are close together.
Fluidity
The ability of a membrane to move and change shape.
Unsaturated fatty acids
Fatty acids with double bonds, which increase the fluidity of biomembranes.
Saturated fatty acids
Fatty acids without double bonds, which decrease the fluidity of biomembranes.
Membrane thickness
The distance between the two leaflets of a lipid bilayer, which can be affected by the lipid composition.
Cholesterol
A lipid molecule that can make membranes thicker.
Leaflets
The two layers of a lipid bilayer, with different lipid compositions.
Curvature
The bending or shape of a membrane, which can be influenced by the lipid composition.
Cytosolic face
The side of the plasma membrane facing the cytoplasm of a cell.
Plasmamembrane
The cell membrane.
Lateral movement
The movement of molecules, such as lipids and proteins, within the membrane.
Diffuse
To move or spread out evenly.
FRAP (fluorescence recovery after photobleaching)
A technique used to study the movement of molecules in membranes by measuring the recovery of fluorescence after a portion of the membrane is bleached.
Junctions
Points of connection between cells.
Tight junctions
Junctions that prevent the leakage of fluid between cells and limit the movement of proteins in the cell membrane.
Transmembrane proteins
Proteins that span the entire lipid bilayer of a membrane.
Peripheral membrane proteins
Proteins attached to the surface of membranes.
Lipid anchored proteins
Proteins bound to a lipid that is inserted into one leaflet of the membrane.
Topology
The specific orientation of a membrane protein, such as the position of its N-terminus and C-terminus.
Hydrophilic
Having an affinity for water.
Hydrophobic
Having a repulsion for water.
α-helix
A secondary structure of a protein consisting of a coiled shape.
Single pass transmembrane proteins
Integral membrane proteins with only one transmembrane domain.
Glycophorin A
A specific example of a single pass transmembrane protein.
Coiled-coil structure
A structure formed when two α-helices bind to each other.
Multipass transmembrane proteins
Integral membrane proteins with several transmembrane domains.
Rhodopsins
A family of seven transmembrane domain proteins (7TM proteins).
Bacteriorhodopsin
A specific example of a rhodopsin protein with seven transmembrane domains.
Integral membrane proteins
Proteins that are embedded within the lipid bilayer of a cell membrane.
Multipass transmembrane proteins
Integral membrane proteins with several transmembrane domains.
Plane of the membrane
The orientation of the transmembrane domains in a multipass transmembrane protein.
Aquaporins
Integral membrane proteins with six α-helical transmembrane domains, allowing the movement of water molecules.
Glycerol channel
A specific aquaporin that facilitates the movement of glycerol molecules.
Transmembrane domains
Segments of a protein that span the lipid bilayer of a cell membrane.
Oblique orientation
The tilted or slanted position of some transmembrane domains within the lipid bilayer.
Bend within the lipid bilayer
A curved region in one of the transmembrane domains.
Channels
Integral membrane proteins that allow the movement of molecules through them.
Concentration gradient
The difference in concentration of a molecule between two regions.
Gated channels
Channels that can be opened or closed to regulate the transport of molecules.
Transporters
Integral membrane proteins that facilitate the movement of molecules or ions across the membrane.
Active transport
The transport of molecules against their concentration gradient, requiring energy (such as ATP).
ATP-powered pumps
Integral membrane proteins that use the hydrolysis of ATP to transport molecules against their concentration gradient.
Porins
Transmembrane proteins that form a barrel-shaped structure with hydrophilic side chains facing the interior, allowing the movement of molecules.
Lipid-anchored membrane proteins
Proteins attached to membranes by a lipid anchor inserted into the membrane.
Lipid anchors
Covalently bound lipids that attach proteins to the membrane.
Cytosolic leaflet
The inner layer of the lipid bilayer facing the cytosol.
Exoplasmic leaflet
The outer layer of the lipid bilayer facing the extracellular space.
GPI anchors
Glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchors that attach proteins to the exoplasmic leaflet of the membrane.
Glycolipids
Lipids containing sugar residues.
Lipid synthesis
The process of creating lipid molecules within cells.
Hydrophobic
Repelling or not mixing with water.
Hydrophilic
Attracting or mixing with water.
Acetyl groups
Groups consisting of two carbon atoms.
Coenzyme A (CoA)
A water-soluble molecule that binds to acetyl groups during fatty acid synthesis.
Fatty acid binding proteins (FABPs)
Proteins that bind and transport fatty acids in the cytosol.
Phospholipid synthesis
The process of creating phospholipids, a major component of cell membranes.
ER membrane
The membrane of the endoplasmic reticulum.
Flippases
Enzymes that move phospholipids from the cytosolic leaflet to the exoplasmic leaflet of the ER membrane.
Cholesterol synthesis
The process of creating cholesterol, an important lipid in cell membranes.
HMG-CoA
A molecule involved in the synthesis of cholesterol.
Rate-limiting step
The slowest step in a biochemical pathway that determines the overall rate of the pathway.
Lipid composition
The types and proportions of lipids present in a biomembrane.
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