B- Form & Function

2.1. Membranes & membrane structure

GUIDING QUESTIONS:
● How do molecules of lipid and protein assemble into biological membranes?
● What determines whether a substance can pass through a biological membrane?

B2.1.1—Lipid bilayers as the basis of cell membranes

Describe what is meant by a phospholipid bilayer

Plasma membrane is a phospholipid bilayer.

Explain what is meant by fluid, flexible and dynamic

Fluid: Consider the arrangement of particles in a solid and a liquid. A “fluid” membrane falls somewhere in between. It can
become more fluid if the components of the membrane are more spread out; or less fluid (i.e. more rigid) if they are compacted.

Flexible: The individual molecules have the ability to bend.

Dynamic: The composition of the membrane is constantly changing. The membrane is primarily composed of phospholipids,
glycoproteins, glycolipids, and cholesterol. However, the relative composition of these components is constantly changing.

B2.1.2—Lipid bilayers as barriers

Outline the structure of a phospholipid.

Phospholipids are amphipathic molecules: they have a hydrophobic part and hydrophilic part. They form a bilayer when the
hydrophobic tails face inward (away from water) and the hydrophilic heads face the outside (in the presence of water).

Explain how phospholipid bilayers form effective barriers between aqueous environments.

The hydrophobic hydrocarbon chains that form the core of a membrane have low permeability to large and/or hydrophilic
molecules, including ions and polar molecules As such, membranes function as effective barriers between aqueous solutions.

B2.1.3—Simple diffusion across membranes

Define diffusion.

Diffusion is the random movement of particles from an area of high to low concentration.
The steeper the concentration gradient, the faster the diffusion.

Using examples, outline which molecules can diffuse directly across the cell membrane.

Simple diffusion across a membrane is possible if the particle is small and non-polar, allowing it to move between the
phospholipid bilayer.

For example:
- Oxygen diffusing into the cornea of your eye
- Carbon dioxide diffusing into the alveoli from the blood plasma

B2.1.4—Integral and peripheral proteins in membranes

Distinguish between peripheral and integral proteins