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ANDERSON JUNIOR COLLEGE H2 BIOLOGY 9648 JC1 NAME: TUTORIAL: CELL MEMBRANE ADDITIONAL PRACTICE

Question 1 J93 The figure below shows a section through part of the fluid mosaic model of the cell surface membrane with a Na+/ K+ pump protein.

CLASS:

(a)

Explain why the cell surface membrane is described as a fluid mosaic. Fluid phospholipids and proteins free to move within the membrane; [1m] phospholipids able to move within a layer/ transversely; [1m] Mosaic Different proteins scattered/random/ embedded/ ref. to position; [1m]

[2]

(b) Describe how the channel surface of the protein differs from its surface next to the [2] phospholipid tails. Channel surface is hydrophilic / mainly made up of hydrophilic amino acids to enable hydrophilic molecules to pass though; [1m] Surface next to phospholipid tails is hydrophobic/ mainly made up of hydrophobic amino acids to enable hydrophobic interactions with phospholipid fatty acid tails to hold the protein in its place. [1m] (c) Explain why Na+ and K+ cannot pass freely across the phospholipid bilayer. K+ and Ca2+ are charged ; (Reject: ions are polar) Unable to pass through hydrophobic core/region (of membrane); [2]

Anderson Junior College Biology Department 2013 Tutorial: CELL MEMBRANE

CHALLENGING QUESTION
Question 1 Plants native to warm climates sometimes suffer injuries when exposed to relatively low temperatures. For example, temperatures in the range of 10C to 15C can cause chilling injuries to some sub tropical plants that normally grow between 20C and 25C. These chilling injuries may affect gene expression and reduce the rates of photosynthesis and protein synthesis. Some plants are more resistant to chilling injuries than others. These injuries could be due to damaged membranes. Table 1.1 shows the fatty acid composition of mitochondrial membranes in various plants.

Source: A C Terry et al, Plant physiology 2000, 124, pages 183190

(a)

(i) With reference to Table 1.1, describe the relationship between fatty acid composition [2] and chill sensitivity. chill-sensitive plants tend to have lower proportion of unsaturated fatty acids in mitochondrial membranes compared to chill-resistant plants / vice versa OR chill-sensitivity increases / chill resistance decreases as the ratio of unsaturated to saturated fatty acids decreases in mitochondrial membrane. Ratio of unsaturated to saturated fatty acids for chill-sensitive plants was between 1.7:1 to 2.8:1, while that for chill-resistant plants was between 3.2:1 to 3.9:1.

Anderson Junior College Biology Department 2013 Tutorial: CELL MEMBRANE

(ii) Explain how the presence of double bonds affects membrane integrity at low temperatures. Presence of C=C double bonds in fatty acid tails causes kinks, thus preventing close packing of phospholipids. [1] This lowers the temperature at which the membrane freezes / solidifies. [1] Hence, membranes with more double bonds / unsaturated fatty acids are more fluid / tend to maintain membrane integrity at low temperatures / vice versa. [1]

[3]

(iii) Suggest how the function of mitochondria might be affected when a sweet potato plant is subjected to low temperatures. (At low temperatures, mitochondrial membrane freezes / solidifies / becomes less fluid / damaged.) Mitochondrial membranes affected in terms of: Any one [1]: disruption of transport of pyruvate into mitochondria shuttling of reduced electron carriers (NADH, FADH2) into mitochondrion is prevented electron transport is disrupted disruption of proton-pumping mechanism across inner mitochondrial membrane proton gradient across inner mt mb cannot be established / protons leak out of intermembrane space Thus reduction in ATP synthesis / aerobic respiration / oxidative phosphorylation / link reaction / Krebs cycle. [1]

[2]

In the late 1970s, a new group of organisms, the Archaea was discovered. These single-celled organisms were found to inhabit extreme environments, such as salt lakes, hot springs and volcanic vents at temperatures of well over 100C. Archaea were initially thought to be structurally similar to bacteria. However, further work by scientists revealed major differences in the chemical compositions of their cell membranes. For example, the hydrocarbon tails of archaeal phospholipids consists of isoprenoid chains which are long chains with multiples side branches and rings. This is in contrast to the fatty acid chains which make up bacterial phospholipids. Fig. 1.1 shows the structure of the phospholipids in the membranes of archaea and bacteria.

Anderson Junior College Biology Department 2013 Tutorial: CELL MEMBRANE

Fig. 1.1 Source: Nature Reviews Microbiology 5, 316-323 (April 2007) (b) (i) With reference to Fig. 1.1, other than the presence of side branches and rings, state two structural differences between the phospholipids of archaea and bacteria. Any two: Archaea membranes Phospholipid tails contain only saturated hydrocarbon chains. Bacterial membranes Phospholipid tails contain both unsaturated and saturated hydrocarbon chains. [2]

Hydrocarbon chains / phospholipid tails are longer / twice as long / pass completely through the membrane

Hydrocarbon chains / phospholipid tails are shorter / do not pass completely through the membrane

Absence of ester linkages / presence of ether linkages

Presence of ester linkages

Phospholipid molecules form a monolayer in the membrane

Phospholipid molecules form a bilayer in the membrane

Anderson Junior College Biology Department 2013 Tutorial: CELL MEMBRANE

(ii) Suggest how the differences stated in (b) (i) enable archaea to thrive in environments with extreme conditions. Any two (points must be related to differences stated in (b)(i)): Longer phospholipid tails increase hydrophobic interactions, hence reduces membrane fluidity / increases stability of membrane at high temperatures. Phospholipid monolayer reduces membrane fluidity / increases stability of membrane at high temperatures. Absence of ester linkages / presence of ether linkages phospholipid molecules are more resistant to hydrolysis in an environment of high salinity. Presence of saturated hydrocarbon tails make archaeal membranes more resistant to oxidation / less fluid, thus increases stability high temperatures

[2]

[Total: 6 marks]

Anderson Junior College Biology Department 2013 Tutorial: CELL MEMBRANE

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