Plasma Membranes and Membrane Permeability

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to plasma membranes and membrane permeability as discussed in the lecture notes.

Phospholipid bilayer

A double layer of phospholipids that makes up cell membranes, with hydrophilic heads facing outward and hydrophobic tails facing inward.

Selective permeability

The ability of membranes to regulate substances that enter and exit the cell.

Fluid Mosaic Model

A model describing the cell membrane as a mosaic of components including phospholipids, cholesterol, proteins, and carbohydrates that move fluidly.

Integral proteins

Proteins that are embedded within the lipid bilayer of the membrane, also known as transmembrane proteins.

Peripheral proteins

Proteins that are not embedded in the lipid bilayer and are loosely bonded to the membrane surface.

Glycolipids

Lipids with carbohydrate chains attached, important for cellular recognition.

Glycoproteins

Proteins with carbohydrate chains, the most abundant type of membrane carbohydrates.

Hydrophilic

Water-attracting; refers to the phosphate heads of the phospholipid bilayer.

Hydrophobic

Water-repelling; refers to the fatty acid tails of the phospholipid bilayer.

Cholesterol

A lipid that helps to stabilize the fluidity of the membrane at various temperatures.

Plasmodesmata

Channels in the cell wall of plants that allow for transport and communication between adjacent cells.

Cell wall

An extracellular structure found in plant cells which provides shape, protection, and regulation of water intake.