recognition protein Plasma membrane protein that tags a

cell as belonging to self (one’s own body).

transport protein Protein that passively or actively assists

specifi c ions or molecules across a membrane.

What is a cell membrane?

A cell membrane is a mosaic of diff erent kinds of lipids and proteins.

The foundation of cell membranes is the lipid bilayer: two layers of phospholipids, tails sandwiched
between heads.

Many types of proteins add various functions to lipid bilayers in membranes.

Take-Home

Message

Extracellular Fluid

Cytoplasm Lipid

Bilayer

E Receptor proteins such as this B cell

receptor bind substances outside the body.

B cell receptors help the body eliminate toxins and infectious agents such as bacteria.

D Recognition proteins

such as this MHC molecule

tag a cell as belonging to

one’s own body.

F Transport proteins bind to molecules on one side of the membrane,

and release them on the other side.

This one transports glucose.

G This transport protein, an

ATP synthase, makes ATP

when hydrogen ions fl ow

through its interior.

50 Unit One How Cells Work

that we know about. Prokaryotes inhabit nearly all of Earth’s environments,

including some very hostile places.

Domains Bacteria and Archaea make up the prokaryotes (Section 1.4 and

Figure 3.7). The two kinds of cells may be alike in appearance and size, but they

differ in structure and metabolic details. Some characteristics of archaeans indicate they are more
closely related to eukaryotic cells than they are to bacteria.

Chapter 13 revisits prokaryotes in more detail. Here we present a simple overview.

Most prokaryotic cells are not much bigger than a few micrometers. None

has a complex internal framework, but protein fi laments under the plasma

membrane reinforce the cell’s shape. Such fi laments also act as scaffolding for

internal structures.

Figure 3.8 shows a general body plan of a prokaryotic cell. The cytoplasm of

these cells contains many ribosomes (organelles upon which polypeptides are

assembled), and in some species, additional organelles. The cell’s single chromosome, a circular DNA
molecule, is located in the cytoplasm, in an irregularly

shaped region called the nucleoid. Most nucleoids are not enclosed by a membrane. The cytoplasm of
many prokaryotes also contains plasmids. These small

circles of DNA carry a few genes (units of inheritance) that can provide advantages, such as resistance to
antibiotics.

Many pr