Membrane Structure and Function

Membrane Function
Membranes

organize the chemical activities of cells. The outer plasma membrane

forms a boundary between a living cell and its surroundings Exhibits selective permeability
Controls traffic of molecules in and out

Membrane Function
Internal

membranes provide structural order for metabolism

Form the cell's organelles Compartmentalize chemical reactions

Fluid Mosaic Model of the PM

A

membrane is a mosaic
Proteins and other molecules are embedded in a framework of phospholipids

membrane is fluid
Most protein and phospholipid molecules can move laterally

Membrane Structure
Phospholipid

Phospholipids are the major structural component of membranes.

Membrane Structure
All membranes are phospholipid bilayers with embedded proteins.
Phospholipid Bilayer Label the: Hydrophilic heads Hydrophobic tails

 Embedded

in the bilayer are proteins

Most of the membranes functions are accomplished by the embedded proteins.

Integral proteins span the membrane Peripheral proteins are on one side or the other of the membrane

Plasma Membrane Components

Glycoproteins

and glycolipids are proteins/lipids with short chain carbohydrates attached on the extracellular side of the membrane.

Fig. 5-1a

Carbohydrate of glycoprotein

Glycoprotein Glycolipid

Integrin

Phospholipid Microfilaments of cytoskeleton Cholesterol

Types of Membrane Proteins

1.

2.
3. 4. 5.

Cell-cell recognition proteins Integrins Intercellular junction proteins Enzymes Signal transduction proteins
Aka - Receptor proteins

6.

Transport proteins
Passive and active

 Cell-cell

recognition proteins - identify type of cell and identify a cell as self versus foreign

Most are glycoproteins

Carbohydrate chains vary between species, individuals, and even between cell types in a given individual. Glycolipids also play a role in cell recognition

 Integrins

are a type of integral protein

The cytoskeleton attaches to integrins on the cytoplasmic side of the membrane Integrins strengthen the membrane

Intercellular

junction proteins - help like cells stick together to form tissues

 Many

membrane proteins are enzymes

This is especially important on the membranes of organelles.

 Signal

transduction (receptor) proteins bind hormones and other substances on the outside of the cell.

Binding triggers a change inside the cell.

Called signal transduction Example: The binding of insulin to insulin receptors causes the cell to put glucose transport proteins into the membrane.

Fig. 5-1c

Messenger molecule Receptor

Activated molecule

Transport Proteins

Passive Transport Proteins

allow water soluble substances (small polar molecules and ions) to pass through the membrane without any energy cost

Active Transport Proteins

The cell expends energy to transport water soluble substances against their concentration gradient

Fig. 5-1d

Transport of Substances Across the Plasma Membrane (PM)

1.

Passive Transport
(Simple) Diffusion (5.3) Facilitated diffusion (5.6) Osmosis (5.4, 5.5)

2. 3.

Active Transport (5.8) Bulk Flow (5.9)

Endocytosis Exocytosis

Passive Transport
In

passive transport substances cross the membrane by diffusion

Diffusion - net movement of substances from an area of high concentration to low concentration
no energy required

Factors Affecting Diffusion Rate

Steepness of concentration gradient

Steeper gradient, faster diffusion

Molecular size

Smaller molecules, faster diffusion

Higher temperature, faster diffusion

Temperature

Simple Diffusion
Nonpolar,

hydrophobic molecules diffuse directly through the lipid bilayer

Simple diffusion does not require the use of transport proteins. Examples: O2, CO2, steroids

Polar,

hydrophilic substances cannot pass directly through the lipid bilayer

Examples: water, ions, carbohydrates

Simple Diffusion
Polar molecules
(ex. Glucose, water)

small, nonpolar molecules

(ex. O2, CO2)

ions
(ex. H+, Na+, K+)

LIPID-SOLUBLE

WATER-SOLUBLE

LIPID-SOLUBLE

Facilitated Diffusion
In

facilitated diffusion small polar molecules and ions diffuse through passive transport proteins.

No energy needed Most passive transport proteins are solute specific Example: glucose enter/leaves cells through facilitated diffusion

Facilitated Diffusion
Higher concentration of

Passive transport protein

Lower concentration

Osmosis
diffusion of water across a selectively permeable membrane Water moves from an area of _______ water concentration to an area of _____ water conc.
Osmosis

Is energy required ?

Water

travels in/out of the cell through aquaporins

Osmosis Terms
Consider two solutions separated by a plasma membrane. Hypertonic

solution with a relatively high concentration of solute solution with a relatively low concentration of solute solutions with the same solute concentration

Hypotonic

Isotonic

Lower concentration of solute

Higher concentration of solute

Equal concentration of solute

H2O Solute molecule Selectively permeable membrane Water molecule

Solute molecule with cluster of water molecules Net flow of water

Osmosis and Animal Cells

Osmosis and Plant Cells

Osmosis
When

a Cell is Placed in a Hypotonic Solution

Water concentration is _________ the cell. Water flows ___________ the cell.

Osmosis
When

a Cell is Placed in a Hypertonic Solution

Water concentration is _________ the cell. Water flows ___________ the cell.

Isotonic solution H2O

Hypotonic solution H2O

Hypertonic solution H2O

H2O

Animal cell

(1) Normal H2O H2O H2O

(2) Lysed

(3) Shriveled Plasma membrane

H2O

Plant cell

(4) Flaccid

(5) Turgid

(6) Shriveled (plasmolyzed)

See page 83

Osmosis Summary
When

a cell is placed in a Hypotonic solution:

Cell gains water through osmosis Animal cell lyses; plant cell becomes turgid (firm)

When

a cell is placed a Hypertonic solution:

Cell loses water through osmosis Animal cell shrivels; plant cell plasmolyzes

Active Transport
Active

transport proteins move substances across the PM against their concentration gradient.

Requires energy (ATP) Active transport proteins are highly selective Active transport is needed for proper functioning of nerves and muscles

Active Transport of X

Active transport proteins span the plasma membrane

They have openings for X on only one side of the membrane

X enters the channel and binds to functional groups inside the transport protein. Cytoplasmic ATP binds to the transport protein

Active Transport of X

A phosphate group is transferred from ATP to the transport protein

protein is energized by the added P.

The energized transport protein changes shape and releases X on the other side of the cell. The phosphate group is released from the transport protein and it resumes its original shape. Process repeats.

Fig. 5-8-1

Transport protein

Solute 1 Solute binding

Fig. 5-8-2

Transport protein

Solute 1 Solute binding 2 Phosphorylation

Fig. 5-8-3

Transport protein

Solute 1 Solute binding 2 Phosphorylation

Protein changes shape 3 Transport

Fig. 5-8-4

Transport protein

Solute 1 Solute binding 2 Phosphorylation

Protein changes shape 3 Transport

Phosphate detaches 4 Protein reversion

Active Transport tell the story

ATP

P ADP

Bulk Flow
Vesicles

are used to transport large particles across the PM.

Requires energy Exocytosis Endocytosis
Phagocytosis, pinocytosis, receptor-mediated

Types:

Exocytosis
Fluid outside cell

Vesicle

Protein

Cytoplasm

Bulk Flow
Exocytosis

Cytoplasmic vesicle merges with the PM and releases its contents Example:
Golgi body vesicles merge with the PM an release their contents How nerve cells release neurotransmittors

Endocytosis

Vesicle forming

Endocytosis can occur in three ways

Phagocytosis ("cell eating") Pinocytosis ("cell drinking") Receptor-mediated endocytosis

Endocytosis
Endocytosis

PM sinks inward, pinches off and forms a vesicle Vesicle often merges with Golgi for processing and sorting of its contents

Endocytosis - terms
Phagocytosis

cell eating

Membrane sinks in and captures solid particles for transport into the cell Examples: Solid particles often include: bacteria, cell debris, or food

Pinocytosis

cell drinking

Cell brings in a liquid

Endocytosis - comments
Phagocytosis

and pinocytosis are not

selective

Membrane sinks inward and captures whatever particles/fluid present. Vesicle forms and merges with the Golgi body

Receptor Mediated Endocytosis

Receptor Mediated Endocytosis is a highly specific form of endocytosis.

Receptor proteins on the outside of the cell bind specific substances and bring them into the cell by endocytosis

Receptor Mediated Endocytosis

1.

2.

Receptor proteins on PM bind specific substances (vitamins, hormones..) Membrane sinks in and forms a pit
Called a coated pit

3.

Pit pinches closed to form a vesicle around bound substances

Cytoskeleton aids in pulling in the membrane and vesicle formation

Fig. 5-9c

Receptor-mediated endocytosis Coat protein Receptor Coated vesicle

Plasma membrane

Coated pit Coated pit

Specific molecule
Material bound to receptor proteins

Fig. 5-9

Phagocytosis EXTRACELLULAR FLUID CYTOPLASM Pseudopodium Food being ingested

Food or other particle Food vacuole Pinocytosis

Plasma membrane

Vesicle

Receptor-mediated endocytosis Coat protein Receptor Coated vesicle

Plasma membrane

Coated pit Coated pit Specific molecule Material bound to receptor proteins