Biology AS 9700

Cell Membrane
Outline the functions of the following components of the plasma membrane:
Protein channels: Permit movement of ions or polar molecules by facilitated diffusion or active
transport.
Glycoprotein: Cell recognition site. It forms hydrogen bonds with water to stabilize the membranes
structure.
Fatty acid chains: Barrier to water soluble ions, allow passage of lipid soluble substances. The structure
of fatty acid tails maintains fluidity.
Cholesterol: influences permeability of membrane, restricts the movement of phospholipids and
regulates the fluidity of the membrane. It is used for storage.
Explain why glucose cannot pass across membranes by simple diffusion.
Glucose is a large polar molecule which is water soluble, so it is not able to pass through the
phospholipid bilayer.
Explain how a phospholipid is suited to its role in cell membranes.
It can form a bilayer, and the fatty acids provide a hydrophobic interior which acts as a barrier to water-
soluble/ polar/ ionic substances. Hydrophilic / phosphate head forms hydrogen bonds with water/ faces
water / cytoplasm/ cytosol. Mainly unsaturated fatty acids make the cell membrane more fluid.
Membranes, such as the cell surface membrane, are described as having a fluid mosaic structure.
Explain what is meant by the term fluid mosaic.
Fluid: Phospholipid (and protein) molecules move about/ diffuse within their monolayer.
Mosaic: Protein molecules/ proteins are interspersed/ scattered / not a complete layer. There are
different proteins/ protein molecules.