Cell or Plasma Membranes

Phospholipids. They feature a phosphate group at one end of each molecule. The heads, or phosphate ends, are hydophilic ("water-loving") and the tails are hydrophobic ("water-fearing"), which keeps them oriented correctly, with the tail ends always inside the lipid layer.

A plasma membrane in a cell is like a city's border or boundary, controlling what enters and exits the cell, similar to how a city regulates traffic in and out. The proteins embedded in the plasma membrane act like checkpoints or gates, allowing specific molecules or substances to pass through, much like city gates that control access to different areas. Just as a city has surveillance systems for security, the plasma membrane has receptors that monitor the cell's environment and communicate with the cell's interior.

To increase the absorption of glucose by a cell through plasma membrane two things can be done.
One is treating cell membrane with chemicals that will distort the structure of cell membrane and then incubating the sample overnight at 37 degree Celsius.
Another approach is giving electric shock to cell membrane.

Active transport is a process that moves molecules and ions against their concentration gradient, requiring energy in the form of ATP. This mechanism allows the cell to maintain internal concentrations of molecules that are different from their surroundings, facilitating processes like nutrient uptake and waste removal.

cholesterol molecules because at warm temperatures, cholesterol reduces membrane fluidity by restraining the movement of phospholipids. At low temperatures, cholesterol hinders solidification of the membrane because it prevents the close packing of phospholipids.

No, the cell membrane is not an organelle. It is a protective barrier that surrounds the cell and controls what enters and exits the cell. Organelles are membrane-bound structures within cells that have specific functions.

The cell membrane is found surrounding the outer boundary of the cell, acting as a barrier between the cell's internal environment and the external environment. It is present in all types of cells, including animal cells, plant cells, and bacterial cells.

The plasma membranes of two adjacent cells come in contact at special sites called gap junctions or desmosomes. These structures are important for cell-cell communication and adhesion.

Yes, it does make the membrane more stable because the cholesterol is wedged into the bilayer squeezing it and stabilizing the phospholipid and keeping the membrane fluid below 37 degrees celcius.

This process is called digestion, where enzymes break down macromolecules such as proteins, carbohydrates, and fats into smaller molecules like amino acids, sugars, and fatty acids that can be absorbed by the cells lining the digestive tract.

Yes, the plasma membrane is best described as a fluid mosaic model because it consists of a fluid lipid bilayer with embedded proteins that can move laterally within the membrane. This fluidity allows for flexibility and dynamic interactions between the membrane components.

Large molecules such as glucose, amino acids, and ions use transporter proteins to help facilitate their movement across cell membranes. These proteins provide a channel or carrier to help these molecules pass through the membrane, overcoming the barrier imposed by the lipid bilayer.

Cholesterol is not harmful to the plasma membrane; in fact, it plays a crucial role in maintaining the fluidity and stability of the membrane. Cholesterol helps regulate the permeability of the membrane and enhances its mechanical strength.

Proteins are actually vital components of the plasma membrane that are involved in various functions such as transport, cell recognition, and cell signaling. They are not considered part of the nonactive matrix of the plasma membrane. Lipids make up the majority of the membrane structure, determining its fluidity and stability.

A double layer of phospholipids makes up most of your cell membranes

Cholesterol is found in every cell of your body. It is especially abundant in the membranes of these cells, where it helps maintain the integrity of these membranes, and plays a role in facilitating cell signaling-- meaning the ability of your cells to communicate with each other so you function as a human, rather than a pile of cells.

Oxygen mainly moves across cell membranes and into red blood cells through passive diffusion. This process is facilitated by the concentration gradient of oxygen, with higher levels outside the cell compared to inside. Oxygen binds to hemoglobin in red blood cells for transport throughout the body.

A specific example of a plasma membrane found inside the body is the cell membrane, which surrounds all cells and acts as a barrier to regulate the passage of molecules in and out of the cell. It is composed of a phospholipid bilayer embedded with proteins that help facilitate various cellular functions.

The theory of endosymbiosis suggests that mitochondria were once free-living organisms considering they have their own genetic material and smaller ribosomes than other organelles. The mitochondria do not interact with other organelles per se. For example, the smooth endoplasmic reticulum contains ribosomes, but mitochondria do not house or make use of other organelles.

Yes, egg cells have enzymes called hyaluronidases that help break down the cell membrane of the egg. This allows sperm to penetrate the egg during fertilization.

Lipids and proteins are two kinds of molecules that combine to form cell membranes. Lipids make up the majority of the membrane structure, creating a phospholipid bilayer, while proteins are embedded in the lipid bilayer and play various roles in cell function.

The cell membrane is selectively permeable because it allows certain molecules to pass through while blocking others. This selectivity is maintained by the presence of proteins and channels that regulate the passage of substances in and out of the cell. This selective permeability is essential for maintaining cellular homeostasis and regulating cell functions.

6 Functions of Membrane Proteins:

1. Anchors

2. Identifiers

3. Enzymes

4. Receptors

5. Carriers

6. Channels

A. Leak Channels

B. Gate Channels

I only know of four, but here it goes:

- a binding site

- channels for passive transport

- pump for active transport

- as identity markers, recognizing other cells

i know all 6. --> 1. transport 2. enzymatic activity 3. signal transduction 4. cell to cell recognition 5. intercellular attachment 6. anchoring to cytoskeleton.

The major lipid used to make cell membranes is phospholipids. They have a hydrophilic head and hydrophobic tail that arrange in a bilayer to form the cell membrane.

Cholesterol helps maintain membrane fluidity and stability, while glycolipids and glycoproteins are involved in cell recognition and communication. Integral proteins function as transporters, receptors, and channels, while peripheral proteins contribute to cell signaling and structural support. Together, these molecules play crucial roles in the special functions of cell membranes.