Plasma Membrane and Membrane Permeability

Vocabulary flashcards reviewing phospholipid structure, saturated versus unsaturated fatty acid chains, and plasma membrane permeability concepts from Topics 3 and 4.

Plasma Membrane

The biological membrane covered in Topics 3 and 4 that regulates cellular transport and exhibits membrane permeability.

Phospholipid

A lipid molecule composed of a hydrophilic phosphate head, a glycerol backbone, and hydrophobic fatty acid tails, forming the primary structure of biological membranes.

Phosphate Group

A chemical group containing phosphorus and oxygen attached to an R-group ($R-O-P=O$) that forms part of the hydrophilic head of a phospholipid.

Glycerol

A three-carbon organic molecule (labeled component B) that links the phosphate group to the fatty acid chains in a phospholipid.

Hydrophilic Head

The water-attracting portion of a phospholipid (labeled component C) containing glycerol and a charged phosphate group.

Hydrophobic Tail

The water-repelling portion of a phospholipid (labeled component D) made up of fatty acid chains.

Saturated Fatty Acid Chain

A fatty acid chain in a phospholipid that contains only single carbon-carbon bonds, forming a straight structure.

Unsaturated Fatty Acid Chain

A fatty acid chain in a phospholipid that contains one or more double carbon-carbon bonds, creating a kink or bend in its structure.