Cell Membrane Function and Structure

These flashcards cover essential vocabulary related to cell membrane structure and function, important for understanding cell biology.

Phospholipid

A molecule consisting of a phosphate head linked to two fatty acid chains; makes up the cell membrane.

Hydrophilic

Water-attracting; describes the phosphate head of a phospholipid.

Hydrophobic

Water-repelling; describes the fatty acid tails of a phospholipid.

Fluid Mosaic Model

A model describing the cell membrane's structure as a mosaic of various proteins embedded in a fluid phospholipid bilayer.

Integral membrane protein

Proteins that are permanently attached to the lipid bilayer and can span the membrane.

Peripheral membrane protein

Proteins that are not embedded in the lipid bilayer but are loosely attached to the membrane's surface.

Semi permeable

A property of cell membranes that allows certain molecules to pass while blocking others.

Passive Transport

The movement of molecules across the cell membrane without the use of energy.

Facilitated Diffusion

A type of passive transport that requires a protein channel or carrier protein for molecules to cross the membrane.

Osmosis

The movement of water across a semipermeable membrane from a region of lower solute concentration to a region of higher solute concentration.

Hypertonic solution

A solution with a higher solute concentration compared to another solution.

Isotonic solution

A solution with the same solute concentration as another solution.

Hypotonic solution

A solution with a lower solute concentration compared to another solution.

Active Transport

The movement of molecules from an area of low concentration to an area of high concentration, against the concentration gradient, requiring energy.