2.

4 Cell Membranes

Assessment Statements
2.4.1 Draw and label a diagram to show the structure of membranes. 2.4.2 Explain how the hydrophobic and hydrophilic properties of phospholipids help to maintain the structure of the cell membranes. 2.4.3 List the functions of membrane proteins. 2.4.4 Define diffusion and osmosis. 2.4.5 Explain passive transport across membranes by simple diffusion and facilitated diffusion. 2.4.6 Explain the role of protein pumps and ATP in active transport across membranes. 2.4.7 Explain how vesicles are used to transport materials within a cell between the rough endoplasmic reticulum , Golgi apparatus and plasma membrane. 2.4.8 Describe how the fluidity of the membrane allows it to change shape, break and reform during endocytosis and exocytosis.

Fluid Mosaic Model of Cell Membranes

Fluid
A continuous, amorphous substance whose molecules move freely past one another and that has the tendency to assume the shape of its container; a liquid or gas.

Mosaic
A picture or decorative design made by setting small colored pieces, as of stone or tile, into a surface.

What does the fluid mosaic model tell us about cell membranes?

2.4.1 Draw and label the cell membrane

c. carbohydrate

d. fatty acid tails (hydrophobic)

a. glycoprotein

b. glycolipid

e. phospholipid bilayer f. phosphate heads (hydrophilic)

j. cytoskeleton i. integral protein g. peripheral protein h. cholesterol

2.4.2 Properties of Phospholipids

Hydrophilic Polar Water loving

Hydrophobic Non polar Water fearing

The heads have a large charged phosphate group - hydrophilic

Heads face the watery environments inside and outside the cell

Tails are non polar uncharged and hydrophobic

Tails face into the bilayer creating a barrier between internal and external environments Phospholipids are attracted to each other due to their charges. This gives the membrane Cholesterol increases stability and maintains fluidity

2.4.3 Membrane Proteins

Integral versus peripheral Peripheral -sit on the surface of the membrane

Integral - span from one side of the bilayer to the other

Glycoproteins
Carbohydrate chains (oligosaccharides) attached to proteins embedded in the membrane

Channel Proteins

Span the membrane from one side to the other. Allow the movement of large or charged molecules across the membranes. Pores, carrier proteins and membrane pumps.

Receptor Proteins

Proteins which detect chemicals, e.g. hormones which trigger a change in the cell. Also includes recognition proteins which are involved in immunity.

Enzymes
Enzymes which are integral in the membrane e.g. ATP synthase

Electron carriers
Involved in oxidation and reduction reactions e.g. in photosynthesis and respiration as part of the electron transport chain

2.4.4 Diffusion and Osmosis

Diffusion
the net movement of molecules from a region of their higher concentration to a region of their lower concentration down a concentration gradient, as a result of their random movement

Osmosis

the diffusion of water molecules from a region of their higher concentration to a region of their lower concentration, through a partially permeable membrane

Diffusion

Try this!

Still confused? This might help

Passive Transport

2.4.5 Passive Transport

Requires no energy Molecules are moving randomly (kinetic energy) Includes diffusion, facilitated diffusion and osmosis

Simple diffusion
e.g. O2 and CO2

High concentration

Low concentration

Some molecules are so small that they pass through the membrane with little resistance e.g. oxygen and carbon dioxide Lipid molecules (even though very large) pass through membranes easily as they are non polar.

Facilitated diffusion
Large, charged molecules move passively through the membrane via channel proteins These proteins have large globular structures and complex 3d-shapes
The shapes provide a channel through the middle of the protein, the 'pore' The channel 'shields' the diffusing molecule from the noncharged/ hydrophobic/ non-polar regions of the membrane.

2.4.6 Active Transport

Requires energy in the form of ATP Carries large, charged substances across the membrane e.g. Na+ and K+ ions Against the concentration gradient

2.4.7 Role of vesicles

Endomembrane system

Consists of:
Nuclear membrane ER Golgi apparatus Vesicles Vacuole Lysosomes Cell membrane

Function
Protein synthesis, modification and transport

2.4.8 Endocytosis and Exocytosis

Bulk transport Requires energy (ATP) Involves formation of vesicles Endocytosis - materials entering the cell Exocytosis - materials exiting the cell e.g secretion of hormones and digestive enzymes, phagocytosis in white blood cells

Invagination of cell membrane

Vesicle

Endocytosis

Exocytosis

These processes are possible because cell membranes are fluid and can move in order to fold around materials

Types of Endocytosis

Endocytosis

Review Question
Which of the following is not a function performed by a membrane protein? A. B. C. D. Hormone binding sites Cell adhesion Enzyme synthesis Pumps for active transport (Total 1 mark)

Review Question
Which of the following is not a function performed by a membrane protein? A. B. C. D. Hormone binding sites Cell adhesion Enzyme synthesis Pumps for active transport (Total 1 mark)

Review Question
(a) Define osmosis.(1) (b) Outline how transport occurs across membranes by facilitated diffusion.(2) (c) Explain how the properties of phospholipids help to maintain the structure of cell membranes (3) (Total 6 marks)

(a)

(osmosis is) the passive movement of water / solvent molecules from a

more dilute solution / region of lower solute concentration to a more concentrated solution / region of higher solute concentration through a partially permeable membrane (b) a facilitated diffusion is a form of passive transport / molecules move from

region of higher concentration to a region of lower concentration / down a

diffusion gradient; requires specific protein channels in plasma membrane;

(c) phospholipds have hydrophilic and hydrophobic regions;

hydrophilic heads attracted to water and hydrophobic / fatty acid tails repelled by / not attracted to water; phospholipd bilayer forms with heads in contact with water on both sides of

membrane / with environment and cytoplasm;

hydrophobic tails found in centre (of bilayer) away from water; stability to membrane brought about by attraction between hydrophobic tails / between hydrophilic heads and water;

(b) Outline how vesicles are used to transport materials secreted by a cell. (6)

vesicles formed from rER transport proteins to Golgi apparatus; these vesicles fuse with membranes of Golgi apparatus; proteins are processed as they move through Golgi apparatus; (transport) vesicles bud off/leave Golgi apparatus; vesicles move through cytoplasm; (vesicles) fuse with plasma membrane; contents released to outside of cell / exocytosis; cells use vesicles to secrete substances such as hormones/digestive enzymes/other appropriate example; vesicles may contain cell products other than proteins; Credit drawings which fully explain the points above. 6 max

(a) Draw a labelled diagram to show the structure of a membrane (5)

Award [1] for each of the following clearly drawn and correctly labelled. phospholipid bilayer double row of opposing phospholipids, tails to inside; phospholipid with head and two tails; hydrophilic/phosphate/polar (heads) and hydrophobic/hydrocarbon/fatty acid/non-polar (tails) labelled; integral protein embedded in the phospholipid bilayer; protein channel integral protein showing clear channel/pore; peripheral proteinon the surface; glycoproteinwith carbohydrate attached on one side; cholesterolshown embedded in bilayer;

(b)

Describe the process of endocytosis.(5)

(b) endocytosis occurs when a membrane encloses a target particle; fluidity of membrane permits movement of membrane; membrane sinks inwardly/forms pit/invaginates to enclose particle; membrane seals back on itself / edges fuse;

one membrane layer / two phospholipid layers enclose particle making

vesicle; inner phospholipid layer of (original) membrane becomes outer phospholipid layer of vesicle membrane;

outer phospholipid layer of (original) membrane becomes inner

phospholipid layer of vesicle membrane; vesicle breaks away from membrane/moves into cytoplasm; changes in membrane shape require energy;

specific example of endocytosis (e.g. pinocytosis, phagocytosis);

Accept any of the above points in an annotated diagram. 5 max