Transport Across Membranes-
Lesson 1 Membrane Structure
Friday 22 November 2024
Do Now:
1.Sketch and label a phospholipid
2.What properties allow phospholipids to form membranes?
3.Why are cell membranes described as partially permeable?
2. The phosphate group is hydrophilic (attracts
water) and the fatty acid chains are hydrophobic
(repel water).
This allows phospholipid to form bilayers which
make up membranes in and around cells.
3. Plasma/cell membranes are partially permeable
because they allow small molecules through but not
large ones
All cells are surrounded by a
cell membrane (also called
the plasma membrane).
The basic structure of the
plasma membranes, including
cell-surface membranes and
the membranes around the
cell organelles of eukaryotes,
is the same.
Hydrophobic (water-hating) tail
air
aqueous solution
Hydrophilic (water-loving) head
Phospholipids form
micelles when
submerged in water
Inside the cell,
endoplasmic reticulum,
golgi, lysosomes, vesicles
and vacuoles are
surrounded by a single
membrane, but
mitochondria and the
nucleus are surrounded
by a double membrane.
Functions of membranes inside cells:
• Separate organelles form the cytoplasm so that specific metabolic
reactions can happen in them e.g respiration in mitochondria and
photosynthesis in chloroplasts
• Control the entry and exit of materials organelles e.g mitochondria
• Provide an internal support system e.g endoplasmic reticulum
• Isolate enzymes that might damage the cell e.g lysosomes
• Provide surfaces for reactions e.g protein synthesis on RER
pH 4.8
Contains digestive
enzymes, optimum
pH 4.5 - 4.8
lysosome
Membrane acts as
a barrier
pH 7.2
cytoplasm
The structure and functions of the cell membrane have been defined by over a half a century of
research using biochemical, physiological, cellular and molecular techniques. The arrangement
of the bi-layer of phospholipids, integrated proteins, glycoproteins and glycolipids is known as
the fluid-mosaic model.
‘fluid’ - because the phospholipids are constantly moving
‘mosaic’ – proteins are scattered through the bilayer like tiles in a mosaic
Watch the video on
what you have just
done.
The membrane contains many types of protein:
Component Function Examples
Phospholipid Form a barrier to dissolved substances. The centre Water is polar but can diffuse through the
bilayer of the bilayer is hydrophobic so doesn’t allow water membrane by osmosis as it is so small.
soluble substances (like ions and polar molecules)
through it but does allow small, non-polar
molecules like CO2 to diffuse through.
Small/lipid-soluble and non polar
molecules can diffuse through the
bilayer
Intrinsic Channel proteins and carrier proteins allow large Molecules which need to travel through the
proteins molecules, polar molecules and ions to pass membrane through active transport or
through the membrane facilitated diffusion are moved through these
proteins.
Peripheral Can act as receptors and allow the cell to detect The hormone insulin binds to receptor
proteins chemicals released from other cells so that they can proteins on liver cells which tells the cell to
respond. start absorbing glucose.
Glycoproteins Proteins with carbohydrate attached Their role can be to act as antigens to facilitate
cellular recognition, which is crucial to the
Glycolipids Lipids with a carbohydrate attached immune response (recognising self). They play
an important role in cell signalling and
communication. They also help with cell
adhesion – making connections that allow cells
to connect to one another to form tissues.
Cholesterol A type of lipid which fits between the Helps to maintain the shape of animal cells
phospholipids. Restricts the movement of other (which don’t have cell walls). This is
molecules in the membrane and gives it stability by particularly important in cells that aren’t
binding to the tails of phospholipids and causing supported by other cells e.g red and white
them to pack together more closely. Reduces their blood cells which float freely in the blood.
movement and makes the membrane less rigid. Has
hydrophobic region so acts as a barrier to polar
substances moving through the membrane.
Label the letters
Key terms: Bilayer fluid mosaic phospholipid extrinsic protein intrinsic protein
• Read the
information and
then complete
the questions on
the next slide.
Key terms: Bilayer fluid mosaic phospholipid extrinsic protein intrinsic protein
Key terms: Bilayer fluid mosaic phospholipid extrinsic protein intrinsic protein
Always mark in Green Pen Remember to write the correct answers if you got it
wrong – check for spelling and language!
The theory of the cell membrane formed from a sea of
What is the fluid mosaic model? phospholipids embeded with proteins.
Compartmentalisation (separates cell's components from its
external surroundings ensuring conditions inside cell remain
unaffected); regulates transport of material into and out of
cells (endocytosis and exocytosis); has surface antigens so the
body's immune system recognises the cell as 'self'; contains
State four functions of membranes at the surface receptors for chemical signals (hormones, drugs etc); may be
of cells the site of chemical reactions
The principal design of the plasma membrane
consists of two layers; what name is given to
these two layers? Phospholipid bilayer
Hydrophilic phosphate heads are orientated outwards
Explain the orientation of phospholipids within (towards water); hydrophobic fatty acid tails are orientated
the bilayer inwards (away from water)
