Cell Bio Membranes

Width of plasma membrane

5 to 10 nm

Proteins within the plasma membrane

proteins make up 50% of the mass and they carry out most membrane functions

Anchor proteins

membrane proteins that attach to the cytoskeleton or other things outside of the cell

Transport proteins

membrane proteins that allow things to move in or out of the cell (passive proteins require no energy: diffusion / facilitated diffusion, active proteins require energy)

Receptor proteins

membrane proteins that receive signals and send signals

Integral proteins

embedded / integrated within the membrane

Peripheral proteins

on the outside of the membrane but attached to something else which holds it to the membrane

Proteins put in the membrane

inserted into the membrane while it is being made and its shape is usually an alpha helix

How to study membrane proteins

disrupt bilayer, use amphipathic detergent that solubizes phospholipds so that proteins can be separated from the membrane