Biol 211G.

Study Questions for Membrane Structure and Transport

September 17, 2019
In addition to completing these questions (below):
a. re-do your prep, but be more specific with your answers to the questions (now that
we have added some more information)
b. re-draw the practice membrane scenarios that we worked through in class (you can
draw yourself a new membrane to practice on)

1. What are the major molecules found in animal cell membranes? Which of these is
NOT found in a plant cell membrane?

2. Review the functions of biological membranes.

3. Sketch a phospholipid.
a. What does it have in common with a triglyceride?
b. What differs between a phospholipid and a triglyceride?
c. Which part(s) of a phospholipid are charged? Which are uncharged? What does this
mean about which part(s) are hydrophilic and which are hydrophobic?
d. What is a term that describes a phospholipid based on its regions of hydrophobicity
and hydrophilicity?

4. Why are Na+ ions hydro[philic/phobic]? (circle the correct one, then answer the
question)

5. Why is methane (CH4) hydro[philic/phobic]? (circle the correct one, then answer the
question)

6. Is olive oil hydrophilic or hydrophobic? [Hint, think about what you probably already
know about olive oil mixed with water or vinegar] Explain the basis for its interactions (or
lack thereof) with water.

7. What mechanism can O2 molecules use to cross a cell membrane from an area of
high concentration to an area of low concentration? Why can O2 cross using this
mechanism but glucose cannot?

8. Can O2 diffuse across a membrane UP its concentration gradient? Explain your

answer.

9. Can Na+ cross a membrane from an area of high concentration to an area of low
concentration by simple diffusion? Why or why not?

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10. a. As illustrated in the diagram below, can glucose enter the cell? Why or why not?
High Glucose
out
Na+
OUT O2 O
2 Na+ Na+
Na+ Na
O2 O2
+

O2 O2
O2
Na+ Na+

Simple Facilitated
IN
Diffusion Diffusion

b. How can glucose enter the cell above (what has to be added to the membrane for
this to happen)? How does this compare to entry of Na+ into that cell? What are
similarities and/or differences between glucose entry and Na+ entry?

11. What has to happen (in terms of signaling) in order for many cells to “take up”
glucose by _____________? (fill in the mechanism of glucose entry, then answer the
question)

12. Bacterial cells that “expel” antibiotics are using ____________ as their resistance
mechanism (fill in the blank with a type of membrane transport). What can you say
about this mechanism of membrane transport?

13. Re-do the practice diagram we did in class (remember that part 2 has two steps):

Glucose

Insulin

1. How is insulin (a 2. What has to

“large” protein) happen in order for
released by glucose to enter
pancreatic cells? muscle cell?

14. Make sure you can complete this table. Try to give an example of each (e.g. what
substance can cross by simple diffusion, facilitated diffusion or active transport). Also be
specific about the type of transport protein involved (if any).

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 Direction E? Transport
Protein?
Simple
Diffusion
Facilitated
Diffusion
Active
Transport

15. Why does membrane fluidity have to be “just right”?

16. What is the impact of excessively high temperatures on membranes? What about
excessively low temperatures? Are either of these “good” for membrane function?

Clicker Questions
Phospholipid heads
a. hydrophilic
b. hydrophobic

Phospholipid tails
a. hydrophobic
b. hydrophilic

Can glucose cross by simple diffusion?

a. yes
b. no

So how is insulin released from pancreatic cells?

a. osmosis
b. facilitated diffusion
c. endocytosis
d. exocytosis

And what does insulin bind to on muscle cells?

a. glucose transporter
b. insulin receptor
c. glucose receptor
d. glucose active transporter

And then what happens?

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a. glucose enters by active transport
b. glucose enters by simple diffusion
c. glucose enters by facilitated diffusion
d. all of the above