Cell Membranes

Describe the structure of a cell membrane

‘Fluid Mosaic Model’

Bilayer of phospholipids withe the hydrophobic tails inwards and the hydrophilic heads facing outwards,

Contains cholesterol to control membrane fluidity (controlling the permeability of the membrane when the environment changes e.g. temp/pH AKA homeostasis)

Also contains protein channels and carrier proteins to allow fluids and molecules to pass through

channel proteins allow the transport of:

ions and water

what do carrier proteins carry?

molecules like glucose and amino acids

what is the structure of a phospholipid?

hydrophilic head h-c-c-c(h all around then threeOH|)

hydrophobic tails. (fatty acids) c-c-c=o-oh

What is a Glycoprotein?

Proteins w sugars attached to it for cellular communication

What are two types of lipids in the cell membrane?

Phospholipids and Cholesterol

What is the difference between an intrinsic and extrinsic protein

Extrinsic = surface level, acts as an enzyme to speed up reactions, it also communicates between cells and within a single cell, reading hormones and neurotransmitters.

Intrinsic = embedded within hydrophobic section, transports ions, water soluble molecules