Structure of Plasma Membranes

Flashcards covering key concepts related to the structure and function of plasma membranes.

Fluid Mosaic Model

Describes the plasma membrane as a fluid combination of phospholipids, cholesterol, and proteins.

Phospholipid Bilayer

A double layer of phospholipids that forms the core structure of the plasma membrane.

Hydrophobic

Describes molecules that repel water, such as the fatty acid tails of phospholipids.

Hydrophilic

Describes molecules that attract water, such as the phosphate head of phospholipids.

Transmembrane Proteins

Integral membrane proteins that span the lipid bilayer.

Facilitated Diffusion

The process by which substances move across the plasma membrane with the help of channel proteins.

Osmosis

Net diffusion of water across a membrane toward a higher solute concentration.

Active Transport

Movement of molecules against their concentration gradient, requiring energy in the form of ATP.

Uniporters

Carrier proteins that move one molecule at a time across the membrane.

Endocytosis

The process of moving substances into the cell through membrane engulfing.