Biology Notes
5.1 Plasma Membrane Structure and Function
Components of the Plasma Membrane
-composed of phospholipid bilayer
^proteins are embedded (integral proteins)
^OR associated w/ cytoplasmic side (aka. Peripheral proteins)
-hydrophilic heads of phospholipids r exposed to water on the outsides of the membrane
-hydrophobic tails are associated together & make up the interior of the membrane *plasma membrane’s asymmetry -
carbohydrates chains r attached to the outside surface and protect into the extra cellular matrix (cytoskeleton filaments r attaché to
inside surface by membrane proteins)
-Phospholipids r considered amphipathic molecules b/c possess both a hydrophilic and hydrophobic regions of
molecule
Proteins remain interact and go w/ one of the layers
-proteins embedded in membrane (integral proteins)
-proteins only on cytoplasmic side of membrane (peripheral proteins)
Fluid Mosaic Model
-Membranes are flexible structures
-Consist of variety of molecules
ex. Phospholipids, cholesterol, and proteins
-Fluid Mosaic Model is used to describe interactions of membrane components
The Functions of the Proteins
-Channel Proteins r involved with passing molecules
*form a channel that allows substance to move from one side to the other
-Carrier Proteins r involved with passing molecules
*receive substance & change their shape (this allows it move through the membrane)
ex. a carrier protein transports sodium and potassium ions across plasma membrane of a nerve cell
-Enzymatic Proteins these are attached to the membranes that carry out metabolic reactions directly
Permeability of the Plasma Membrane
-plasma membrane regulates the passage of molecules in/out of the cell
- function is critical b/c cell must maintain normal composition (homeostasis) under environmental conditions
-It is selectively permeable (only allowing only certain substances into cell)
-Generally, small non-charged molecules (Aka. Carbon Dioxide, Oxygen, Glycerol, and Alcohol) can move freely
through membrane
*slip b/w hydrophilic heads and pass through hydrophobic tails b/c they r similarly non-polar
*follow their concentration gradient (moving from a high concentrated area to a low concentrated area)
**remember that the cell is CONSTANTLY using Oxygen for cellular respiration
**internal consumption of Oxygen results in a low cellular concentration b/c if oxygen concentration is
higher outside the cell, oxygen tends to move across the membrane into the cell
**concentration of Carbon Dioxide is higher inside the cell (b/c by-product of cellular respiration) so it
typically moves from inside to outside the cell
5.2 Passive Transport Across a Membrane
Diffusion
- movement of molecules from higher to lower concentration (down their concentration gradient) till equilibrium is
achieved
- A solution contains both a solute (the thing being dissolved) & a solvent (the thing dissolving the solute)
- several factors influence rate of diffusion (temp., pressure, electrical currents, molecular size, etc.)
Biology Notes
Osmosis
-Diffusion of water across selectively permeable membrane from high to low concentration
Isotonic (Iso-“the same as” Tonicity- “refers to strength of solution) Solution
- solute concentration and water concentration both inside and outside the cell r equal
*therefore no net gain or loss of water
Hypotonic (hypo-“less than” ) Solution
- cause cells to swell (even burst) due to intake of water
-Refers to a solution with lower concentration of solute (mostly water), when cell is added to solution water enters the
cell rapidly b/c of lower cellular concentration
Hypertonic (Hyper- “more than”) Solution
- cause cells to shrink/shrivel due to loss of water
- Refers to a solution with higher concentration of solute (less water), when cell is added to solution water leaves the
cell rapidly
Facilitated Transport
-explains how molecules (Glucose and Amino Acids) r rapidly transported across plasma membrane
-water moves through membrane using channel protein
-Glucose and Amino Acids move through membrane by combining w/ specific carrier proteins (which carry them
through membrane)
5.3 Active Transport Across a Membrane
Active Transport
-moves molecules AGAINST their concentration gradient (this requires energy hence “active” transport)
ex. Iodine collects in cells of thyroid gland, Glucose is completely absorbed from gut by cells lining digestive
tract, Sodium can be almost completely withdrawn from urine by cells lining kidney tubules (All of these are examples of
molecules moving from a lower to a higher concentration OPPOSITE FROM DIFFUSION)
Bulk Transport
- Proteins, Polysaccharides, or Nucleic Acids are to big for carrier proteins so they r transported by vesicles
*membrane vesicles form around macromolecules (require TONS of energy-but worth it b/c vesicles keeps
cargo from mixing with other molecules in cytoplasm which would cause an alter in cell function)
-Generally substances can exit through exocytosis & enter cell through endocytosis
Exocytosis
exiting the cell
- intracellular vesicle fuses w/ plasma membrane as secretion occurs
-Hormones, neurotransmitters, and digestive enzymes r secreted from cells this way
-Golgi body often produces the vesicles used to transport cell products to membrane
-During exocytosis- membrane of vesicle b/c part of membrane (b/c both r non-polar)
-adding additional vesicle membrane to plasma membrane can enlarge the cell (can be a part of cellular growth)
-proteins released from vesicle may adhere to cell surface or become incorporated in extra cellular matrix
-certain cells r specialized to produce and export molecules
ex. Pancreatic cells produce digestive enzymes or insulin, Anterior Pituitary cells produce growth hormones
(among other bodily hormones)
*in these cells, secretory vesicles accumulate near plasma membrane so vesicles release their contents ONLY
when cell is stimulated by signal received at the plasma membrane (called regulated secretion)
ex. A rise in blood sugar signals pancreatic cells to release insulin
Biology Notes
Endocytosis
enteringthe cell
-Cells bring substances into the cell by forming vesicles around material
-Portion of plasma membrane invaginates to envelope substance and then membrane pinches off to form intracellular
vesicle
-Can happen in one of 3 ways
*Phagocytosis- transports large substances (like food particles, another cell, viruses)
**common in single-celled organisms (like amoebas) and humans
**Certain types of human white-blood cells are amoeboid (mobile like an amoeba, engulf debris like
worn-out red blood cells or viruses)
**When endocytic vesicle fuses w/ lysosome, digestion occurs
*Pinocytosis- transports small substances (like solutes or polypeptides)
**occurs when vesicles form around a liquid or around very small particles
**blood cells, cells that line kidney tubules or intestinal wall, plant cells all use pinocytosis to ingest
substances
*Receptor-mediated endocytosis- specialized form of pinocytosis
**form of pinocytosis
**molecules must 1st bind to specific receptor proteins, which migrate or r already in coated pit
** the coated vesicle the forms contains the molecules and their receptors
