Human Physiology: Cell Membrane Structure and Transport Mechanisms

Vocabulary flashcards covering the cell membrane structure, membrane proteins, bulk transport mechanisms, diffusion, and osmosis based on the Human Physiology lecture notes.

Human physiology

study of human function

Plasma membrane (function)

allows certain substances in and out to protect it and allows intercellular communication, allowing effect to the body at a cellular level

Plasma membrane

Defines the boundaries of cells, gives them form/shape, made of bilayer of phospholipids

Intracellular organelles

Subcellular structures inside the cytoplasm

Fluid Mosaic Model (draw and label)

The model used to describe cell membrane structure and organization

Phospholipid

main component of membranes is organized in a double layer (bilayer) with a hydrophilic head and two hydrophobic fatty acid tails.

Glycolipids

Carbohydrates attached to phospholipids on the extracellular side.

Glycoproteins

Carbohydrates are attached to proteins on the extracellular side.

Cholesterol

Component located between the fatty acid tails of phospholipids that binds weakly to adjacent phospholipids and contributes to membrane flexibility.

Integral proteins

Membrane proteins that typically penetrate all the way through the phospholipid bilayer.

Peripheral proteins

Membrane proteins that are partially embedded in one face of the membrane but do not span the entire width of the phospholipid bilayer.

Bulk transport

The general term for the cellular uptake (endocytosis) or secretion (exocytosis) of materials into or out of the cell, respectively.

Endocytosis

A process of cellular uptake where the membrane invaginates (furrows inward), fuses, and pinches off to form a vesicle inside the cell.

Exocytosis

A process where molecules (e.g., neurotransmitters) are sequestered within secretory vesicles which, under proper stimulation, release their contents to the outside of the cell.

Diffusion

The passive movement of substances from a region of high concentration to a region of low concentration due to random molecular motion.

Membrane permeability

The ease with which a solute/molecules can move through a membrane

Kidney dialysis

procedure used to remove wastes from blood because failed through the kidneys - osmosis

Osmosis

The passive transport of water across a membrane from a region of higher water concentration to a region of lower water concentration

Hydrophilic

Attracted to water, aka polar phoslipids, always face h20

Hydrophobic

Scared of water, aka nonpolar phoslipids

Monlayer & Bilayer

single layer & double layer

Intergral & peripheral proteins

embedded in the membrane fully & embedded in the membrane halfway

Intergral & peripheral protein (function)

ion channels, pumps, enzymes, carriers, receptors and provides strucutral support

Factors of Osmosis

1. Concentration gradient

2. Temperature

3. Membrane permeability

4. Surface area

5. Diffusion distance

6. Molecular structure/shape/size

Osmosis (draw and label)