Biological Membranes and Transport Processes (LS14)

A collection of vocabulary flashcards covering key terms related to membranes and transport processes as discussed in lecture.

Plasma membrane

The boundary of a cell that controls the entry and exit of substances.

Compartmentalization

The division of a cell into compartments, each with specific functions, improving efficiency.

Concentration gradient

A difference in solute concentration across a membrane.

Diffusion

The spontaneous movement of molecules from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration.

Facilitated diffusion

The process of passive transport facilitated by integral proteins across a membrane.

Integral proteins

Membrane proteins that span the entire lipid bilayer, allowing specific molecules to pass.

Peripheral proteins

Membrane proteins that are attached to one side of the membrane, not spanning it.

Aquaporin

A type of integral membrane protein that facilitates the transport of water across the membrane.

Osmosis

The diffusion of water across a selectively permeable membrane.

Hypotonic solution

A solution with a lower concentration of solutes compared to another solution.

Isotonic solution

A solution with equal concentrations of solute inside and outside of the cell.

Hypertonic solution

A solution with a higher concentration of solutes compared to another solution.

Lipid bilayer

A double layer of phospholipids that makes up the plasma membrane, with hydrophilic heads facing outward and hydrophobic tails inward.

Concentration gradient

A difference in the concentration of a substance across a space or a membrane.

Passive transport

Movement of molecules across a membrane without the use of energy, along their concentration gradient.