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Cells part 2: Plasma Membrane

What is the Plasma Membrane?


The Plasma Membrane Forms the outer structure of the cell (like your skin in a way) Acts as a barrier between the inside and the outside of the cell. The structure (lipid bilayer) allows the membrane to be fluid.

Watch short video

Well look at each component of the plasma membrane. As we discuss it label it on your diagram and add any notes you will find useful

The Phospholipid Molecule


One single component of the plasma membrane is this molecule: The phospholipid. You noted how the phospholipids orientated themselves in the video.

Whats a Phospholipid?
Its a pair of fatty acid chains and a phosphate group attached to a glycerol backbone. Polar (water-soluble) heads face out and the nonpolar fatty acids hang inside.
Outside the cell Inside the cell

Fatty Acid Tails


Flexibility The fatty acid tails are flexible, causing the lipid bilayer to be fluid. This makes the cells flexible. At body temperature, membranes are a liquid with a consistency that is similar to cooking oil.

Membrane Structure
Plasma Membranes consist of a phospholipid bilayer and proteins in a specific arrangement. The surfaces of cell membranes are hydrophilic (water-loving); the interiors are hydrophobic (water fearing). Hydrophilic molecules tend to interact with water and with each other. Hydrophobic molecules avoid interaction with water and tend to interact with other hydrophobic molecules.

Proteins
Proteins are also embedded in the Membrane Proteins are scattered throughout the membrane. They may be attached to inner surface, embedded in the bilayer, or attached to the outer surface. Hydrophilic (polar) regions of the protein project from the inner or outer surface. Hydrophobic (nonpolar) regions are embedded within the membrane.

Proteins

Cholesterol
In animals, cholesterol is a major membrane lipid. It may be equal in amount to phospholipids. It is similar to phospholipids in that it one end is hydrophilic (water loving -polar), the other end is hydrophobic (water hating non-polar). Note that the polar head of the cholesterol is orientated the same way as the polar head of the phospholipids. Cholesterol makes the membrane less permeable to most biological molecules.

Cholesterol

Cholesterol helps maintain the fluidity of cell membranes and by adding firmness to the plasma membrane also prevents it from becoming overly fluid so Cholesterol generally helps the plasma membrane maintain its structure

Carbohydrate Chains
Lipids and proteins within the membrane may have a carbohydrate chain attached. These carbohydrates often function as cell identification markers, allowing cells to identify other cells. This is particularly important in the immune system where cells patrolling the body's tissues identify and destroy foreign invaders such as bacteria or viruses. .

Cytoskeleton
The cytoskeleton is a network of protein elements that extend through the cytoplasm in eukaryotic cells. It provides for the distinctive shape of cells such as red blood cells, muscle cells, and nerve cells (neurons). It produces movement of cells and is associated with movement of materials within cells.

Selective Permeability
A few substances move freely across the cell membrane by passive diffusion. Most small molecules or ions require the assistance of specific protein carriers to transport them across the membrane. Large molecules do not cross intact cell membranes, except in certain special cases.

Watch this video for a good review!!!!

Assessment
1. It maintains homeostasis* by controlling what moves into and out of the cell

*The ability of a system or living organism to adjust its internal environment to maintain a stable equilibrium

Assessment
2. The phospholipid bilayer forming the plasma membrane creates a barrier from the environment around the cell.

Assessment
3.

Assessment
4. basic Membrane structure phospholipids Cell Identity proteins and carbohydrates Membrane fluidity cholesterol

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