Unit 2 Vocabulary - Membrane Fluidity

Transbilayer asymmetry

The uneven distribution of lipid molecules across the two leaflets of a cell membrane, meaning the composition of lipids on the outer face of the membrane is different from the composition on the inner face

Glycoprotein

A protein with one or more carbohydrate chains attached to it

Glycolipid

A lipid molecule with a carbohydrate attached to it by a glycosidic bond

Amphipathic

Contains hydrophobic and hydrophilic parts

Lumen

Internal volume enclosed by a membrane

Compartmentalization

Enclose compartments with different content allows for specialization

Selectively-permeable barrier

Prevents unrestricted movement of molecules from one side to the other

Liposomes

Synthetic vesicles that can be used to deliver drugs or DNA within the body

Phosphoglycerides

Glycerol based phospholipids that are the main components of the lipid bilayer

Sphingolipids

Class of amphipathic phospholipids that contain sphingosine and a long hydrocarbon tail linked to a fatty acid via its amino group

Integral protein

Have domains that penetrate into both sides of the plasma membrane

Peripheral membrane proteins

Located entirely outside of the lipid bilayer and are associated by noncovalent bonds

Lipid anchored protein

Located outside of the lipid bilayer and are associated to a lipid molecule on the bilayer by covalent bonds