Written Assignment Unit 3

Briefly describe the structure of a eukaryotic plasma membrane, identifying at least two

component macromolecules and describing what their basic function is within the

membrane.

 The eukaryotic cell membrane which is also known as the plasma membrane or cytoplasmic

membrane, is a biological membrane that separates the interior components of all cells from

the outside environment (the extracellular space) and protects the cell from its outer

environment (Singleton, 2004). The cell membrane has two layers of phospholipids including

cholesterols, spread within the membrane, and are responsible for maintaining appropriate

membrane fluidity at various temperatures.

 The membrane also consists membrane proteins, including integral proteins that span the

membrane and serve as membrane transporters, and peripheral proteins that loosely attach to

the outer side of the cell membrane, acting as enzymes to facilitate interaction with the cell's

internal environment.

 Glycolipids, combination carbohydrates and lipid molecules, embedded in the outer lipid

layer serve a similar purpose. The cell membrane controls the movement of substances in and

out of cells and organelles, being selectively permeable to ions and organic molecules

(Alberts et al., 2002).

 Cell membrane is responsible for a number of cellular processes and processes such as cell

adhesion, ion conductivity, cell signaling and serve as the attachment surface for several

extracellular structures, including the cell wall and the carbohydrate layer called the

glycocalyx, as well as the intracellular network of protein fibers called the cytoskeleton.
 (Budin, & Devaraj, 2012). The passage of organic molecules, water, ion, inhalation, and

exhalation of oxygen into the cell are all controlled by the plasma membrane. Waste products

like carbon dioxide and ammonia pass through the plasma membrane when leaving the cell.

The plasma membrane protects the integrity of the interior of the cell by allowing certain

substances in, while keeping other substances out.

 Summarize the manner in which small molecules are permitted to pass through the

membrane ensuring you explain the difference between passive, facilitated, active,

and coupled transport by comparing and contrasting them.

o Passive Transport

Passive transport is a type of membrane transport that does not require energy to

move substances across cell membranes. Molecules are transferred by the process

of diffusion in which molecules move from their higher concentration to lower

concentration across the cell membrane.

o Facilitated Transport

In facilitated transport, materials are moving down a concentration gradient. In

other words, they are moving from an area of high concentration to low

concentration, as in passive diffusion. However, the presence of the cell

membrane prevents passive diffusion from moving the materials easily, because a

protein-free lipid bilayer is highly impermeable to ions. Small nonpolar molecules

like O2 and CO2 are soluble in lipids and diffuse rapidly across lipid bilayer

membranes (News-Medical, 2018).

 o Active Transport

Active transport always leads to accumulation of molecules and ions towards one

side of the membrane. This mode of transportation in plants is carried out by

membrane proteins and transports the substance from the lower concentration to

higher concentration and it always require energy (Vix, 2019).

o Coupled Transport

Coupled transport is defined as the simultaneous transport of two substances

across a biological membrane. If both move in the same direction it is a symport

type of coupled transport.

 Finally, explain the difference between endocytosis and exocytosis and provide an

example of a molecule (remembering to state its function) that is transferred using

this method.

 Endocytosis

o Endocytosis and exocytosis are the processes by which cells move materials into

or out of the cell that are too large to directly pass through the lipid bilayer of the

cell membrane. Large molecules, microorganisms and waste products are some of

the substances moved through the cell membrane via exocytosis and endocytosis.

o Endocytosis is the process by which cells take in substances from outside of the

cell by engulfing them in a vesicle. These can include things like nutrients to

support the cell or pathogens that immune cells engulf and destroy. Endocytosis

occurs when a portion of the cell membrane folds in on itself, encircling

 extracellular fluid and various molecules or microorganisms. The resulting vesicle

breaks off and is transported within the cell.

o Example

 Macrophages are a type of white blood cell that play a central role in

protecting mammals against pathogens like bacteria and viruses. When a

macrophage comes into contact with a virus, say a cold virus in the

bloodstream, it can bind to the virus’s cell surface (Technology Networks,

2020).

 Exocytosis

o Exocytosis is the process by which cells move materials from within the cell into

the extracellular fluid. Exocytosis occurs when a vesicle fuses with the plasma

membrane, allowing its contents to be released outside the cell.

o Example

 Once the white blood cell has engulfed a foreign pathogen eliminate it,

certain parts of the pathogen are no longer needed. The macrophage gets

rid of this waste material through exocytosis, during which vesicles carry

out the unwanted pathogen material.

 References

o Singleton, P. (2004). Bacteria in biology, biotechnology and medicine (No. Ed.

6). John Wiley & Sons.

o Alberts, B., Johnson, A., & Lewis, J. (2002). Molecular Biology of the Cell

(Book).
 o Budin, I., & Devaraj, N. K. (2012). Membrane assembly driven by a biomimetic

coupling reaction. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 134(2), 751-753.

o Technology Networks. (2020, April 28). Endocytosis and Exocytosis: Differences

and Similarities. From Technology Networks; Technology Networks.

https://www.technologynetworks.com/immunology/articles/endocytosis-and-

exocytosis-differences-and-similarities 334059#:~:text=Endocytosis

%20definition%20and%20purposes,immune%20cells%20engulf%20and

%20destroy.

o News-Medical. (2018, June 8). Facilitated Transport. News-Medical.net.

https://www.news-medical.net/lifesciences/FacilitatedTransport.aspx#:~:text=Fac

ilitated%20transport%20is%20one%20way,concentration%2C%20as%20in

%20passive%20diffusion.

o V
‌ ix. (2019, November 24). Active transport - Definition and Examples - Biology
Online Dictionary. Biology Articles, Tutorials & Dictionary Online.
https://www.biologyonline.com/dictionary/active-transport