Applications of Cell Movement

0₂ and CO₂

-important to cell membranes→ cell membranes need respiratory gases to move fast

-oxygen and carbon dioxide are nonpolar, so they can easily cross membranes

-location: air→ lungs→ blood→ cells

Glycoprotein

-important for cell membranes→ cell-cell attachment and recognition (immune system)

Fatty acids

-non-polar→ keep intra- and extracellular fluids separate

-location: bulk of cell membrane (hydrophobic tails)

-(unsaturated fatty acids→ low melting point; saturated fatty acids→ high melting point)

Cholesterol

-maintains membrane fluidity, involved in making vesicles and attachment

-location: embedded in cell membrane (4 C rings)

Aquaporins

-faster movement of water (kidney, lungs)

-location: specialized protein channel

Water potential

-water always moves across membranes

-water moves from high to low potential

Ψ system=Ψ solute potential+Ψ pressure potential