Biological membranes

What are biological membranes primarily made of?

Biological membranes are primarily composed of phospholipid bilayers with embedded proteins.

What is the function of the plasma membrane?

The plasma membrane regulates the entry and exit of substances, maintaining homeostasis.

What are integral proteins?

Integral proteins are embedded within the lipid bilayer and can span across the membrane.

What are peripheral proteins?

Peripheral proteins are attached to the exterior or interior surfaces of the membrane, not embedded.

What is the fluid mosaic model?

The fluid mosaic model describes the structure of cell membranes as a flexible arrangement of various molecules.

What role do cholesterol molecules play in biological membranes?

Cholesterol helps to stabilize membrane fluidity and prevents the membrane from becoming too rigid or too fluid.

What is selective permeability?

Selective permeability is the ability of a membrane to allow certain molecules to pass while restricting others.

What is diffusion?

Diffusion is the movement of molecules from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration.

What is osmosis?

Osmosis is the diffusion of water across a selectively permeable membrane.

What is facilitated diffusion?

Facilitated diffusion is the process by which specific molecules pass through the membrane via protein channels.

What is active transport?

Active transport is the movement of substances against their concentration gradient, requiring energy.

What is endocytosis?

Endocytosis is the process by which cells take in large molecules by engulfing them with the membrane.

What is exocytosis?

Exocytosis is the process of releasing substances from a cell by vesicles fusing with the plasma membrane.

What is the significance of membrane proteins in cell signaling?

Membrane proteins play crucial roles in cell signaling by acting as receptors for hormones and other signaling molecules.

What is a glycoprotein?

Glycoproteins are proteins that have carbohydrate chains attached, functioning in cell recognition.

What is a lipid bilayer?

A lipid bilayer is a double layer of phospholipids that forms the foundation of a cell membrane.

Describe the fluid mosaic model of the phospholipid bilayer.

The fluid aspect refers to the ability of phospholipids and proteins to move freely within the layer relative to each other. The mosaic aspect refers to the diverse arrangement of proteins, lipids and carbohydrates, giving the membrane a mosaic like appearance

What are biological membranes primarily made of?

Biological membranes consist of phospholipid bilayers with embedded proteins.

What role do membrane carbohydrates play?

Membrane carbohydrates are involved in cell recognition and communication.

What is the structure of phospholipids?

Phospholipids have a hydrophilic (water-attracting) 'head' and two hydrophobic (water-repelling) 'tails'.