factors affecting membrane function

Effect of temperature

• as temperature increases the kinetic energy of the phospholipids increase

• the molecules move around more creating gaps that cause the pigment and other molecules to be able to leak out

  • membrane becomes more permeable

• if temperature keeps rising

  • proteins denature

    • channel and carrier proteins stop working which affects the permeability of the membrane to polar molecules

    • also creates more gaps in the membrane so more leakage

  • eventually membrane will breakdown completely

• 

Effect of solvents

• many organic solvents are less polar than water

  • alcohol

• or non polar

  • benzene

• organic solvents will dissolve membranes thus disrupting cells

Effect of alcohol

• pure/very strong alcohol is toxic and will destroy cells

• less concentrated solutions (alcoholic drinks) will not dissolve membranes but will cause damage

• the alcohol molecules can enter the membrane disrupting its structure

Nerve cells

• need intact membranes for nervous impulses to be sent correctly