Membrane Structure and Function

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms and concepts related to membrane structure and function in cells.

Solute

A substance that is dissolved in a solvent to form a solution.

Solvent

A substance, usually a liquid, in which solutes dissolve to form a solution.

Diffusion

The process by which molecules move from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration.

Cell membrane

The outer boundary of a cell, also known as the plasma membrane, composed of a phospholipid bilayer.

Hydrophobic core

A characteristic of phospholipid bilayers that restricts the passage of charged and large hydrophilic solutes.

Membrane fluidity

The ability of the cell membrane to remain flexible, allowing it to flow and change shape as necessary.

Unsaturated fatty acids

Fatty acid tails with one or more double bonds, promoting membrane fluidity.

Transmembrane proteins

Integral membrane proteins that span across the lipid bilayer.

Glycoproteins

Proteins with carbohydrate groups covalently bound, involved in cell-cell recognition.

Glycolipids

Phospholipids with carbohydrate groups attached, aiding in cell recognition.

Fluid mosaic model

A model describing the cell membrane as a fluid phospholipid bilayer with a mosaic of proteins, sterols, glycolipids, and glycoproteins.

Signal transduction

The process through which a signal received by a receptor is transmitted across the membrane.

Cell-cell recognition

The ability of cells to recognize and bind to similar cells or distinguish self from non-self.

Intercellular joining

The process by which cells attach to one another for strength and organization.

Cytoskeleton

A network of protein filaments within eukaryotic cells that provides structure and shape.

Extracellular matrix

A network of proteins outside animal cells that supports and organizes cells.

Transport proteins

Proteins that assist in the movement of charged or large hydrophilic solutes across the cell membrane.