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UCAT University What is a Cell Membrane Structure

Mentoring Oxbridge in A-Level Biology? Boost your A-
Mentoring Medical
Preparation
Level Biology
IGCSE Physics In A-Level Biology, the cell membrane is a thin, flexible layer Performance
that surrounds the cell and separates its internal environment
IGCSE Economics
from the external environment. It is also known as the plasma
IGCSE Chemistry
membrane.
IGCSE Business

The structure of the cell membrane is described as a fluid

mosaic model, which means that it is made up of a mosaic of

different components that are able to move around and

change position within the membrane. The main components

of the cell membrane include:

A-Level Biology
1. Phospholipid bilayer: This is the main component of the Tutors
cell membrane and consists of two layers of phospholipid
molecules. Each phospholipid molecule has a hydrophilic
(water-loving) head and a hydrophobic (water-fearing) Get an A* in A-Level
tail. The hydrophilic heads face outward towards the Biology with our Trusted 1-
aqueous environments, while the hydrophobic tails face 1 Tutors. Enquire now.
inward and form a barrier that prevents water-soluble
substances from passing through the membrane.

2. Proteins: These are embedded within the phospholipid

bilayer and have a variety of functions, such as acting as
channels or pumps to allow specific molecules to pass
through the membrane, or as receptors to allow the cell
to respond to signals from other cells or the environment.

3. Carbohydrates: These are attached to the surface of the

membrane and help to identify the cell and its function.
They are involved in processes such as cell recognition
and cell-to-cell communication.

4. Cholesterol: This is found within the phospholipid bilayer

and helps to maintain the fluidity of the membrane. It
helps to prevent the membrane from becoming too rigid A-Level Biology
or too fluid, allowing it to function optimally. Online Course
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Overall, the structure of the cell membrane is crucial to the
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functioning of the cell, as it allows the cell to maintain a stable
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internal environment while also interacting with the external Seminars. 100% Money
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Effect of Temperature on (A-Level

Biology) Cell Membrane Structure

This is one of the common factors affecting (A-Level Biology)

Cell Membrane Structure

Cell membranes are sensitive to temperature. Changes in

temperature can affect the fluidity and permeability of cell
membranes, which impacts cell structure and function.

Below 0°C

Increase in membrane rigidity. As the temperature drops to

below zero, phospholipids lose much of their kinetic energy.
Therefore, the membrane loses its fluidity which causes it to
become very rigid.

Increase in membrane permeability. Proteins within the

membrane become heavily denatured, which increases the
permeability of the membrane. Ice crystals can form in the
membrane, which can cause the membrane to fracture,
especially during thawing, which also increases permeability.

0°C – 45°C

Membranes are fluid. Between 0-45°C, phospholipids can

easily move (although their movement is naturally restricted
by cholesterol).

Membranes are semi-permeable. At these temperatures, the

membrane is also semipermeable. As temperatures increases,
the kinetic energy of the phospholipids also increases, which
increases their movement. This increase in movement leads to
an increase in permeability of the membrane.

Above 45°C

Phospholipid bilayer begins to break down. Increasing kinetic

energy allows the phospholipids to move far away from each
other, which destroys the structural integrity of the membrane,
causing it to “melt”.

Cell Membrane Structure becomes freely-permeable.

Transport and channel proteins denature, thus making them
unable to regulate what gets into and out of cells, which leads
to increased membrane permeability.

The membrane may burst. The heat causes water inside of

the cells to expand which puts pressure on the membrane,
causing it to burst.

A-level Biology – Factors Affecting Cell Membrane Structure

Effect of Solvents on Cell Membrane

Structure
Solvents such as ethanol increase membrane permeability.
Lipids dissolve in alcohol, therefore, the phospholipids in a cell
membrane will easily dissolve in solutions such as ethanol. As
a result, the cell membrane becomes more fluid and
permeable as it starts to break down.

The effect on membrane permeability depends on solvent

type. Certain types of solvent can cause a greater degree of
membrane permeability than others, for example, ethanol
causes greater membrane permeability than methanol.

Increasing solvent concentration increases membrane

permeability. Solvent concentration and membrane
permeability are directly correlated i.e. increasing solvent
concentration increases membrane permeability. This is
because as the solvent becomes more and more
concentrated, it has a greater ability to dissolve phospholipids
and disrupt the membrane structure, making it more
permeable to external substances.

A-level Biology – Factors Affecting Cell Membrane Structure

Practical Investigations into Cell

Membrane Permeability

We can design an investigation to see exactly how factors such

as temperature, solvent type, and solvent concentration affect
membrane permeability. This experiment is typically done with
beetroot, a highly pigmented vegetable. As the cell
membranes become disrupted and more permeable, the
coloured pigment leaks out, which can be measured to
quantify the degree of cell membrane permeability.

Investigating the effect of temperature on Cell

Membrane Structure

1. Cut beetroot into five equal sized pieces. Wash these

pieces afterwards to remove any pigment that leaked out
while cutting.

2. Pipette 5 cm3 of water into five different test tubes.

3. Prepare water baths at five different temperatures. E.g.

20°C, 30°C, 40°C, 50°C, and 60°C.

4. Place each test tube in the different water baths. They all
need to be incubated for the same duration.

5. Remove the test tubes from the water baths. Carefully

remove the beetroot pieces, leaving the remaining
coloured liquid in the test tubes.

6. Using a colorimeter (as discussed in tutorial 17),

measure how much light is being absorbed by the liquid
in each test tube.

7. The greater the absorbance, the more coloured, or

opaque, the liquid in the test tube is. This means that
there has been a greater degree of permeability within
the beetroot’s cell membranes, resulting in a large
amount of pigment leaking out.

A-level Biology – Factors Affecting Cell Membrane

Structure

Investigating the effect of solvent

concentration on Cell Membrane Structure

1. Cut and wash five equal sized pieces of beetroot.

2. Prepare 5 different test tubes with 5cm3 of the following

concentration of solvents:

Water

10% Ethanol

30% Ethanol

50% Ethanol

70% Ethanol

3. Put each piece of beetroot into the different test tubes.

Seal the test tube openings with a rubber bung and
shake the tubes.

4. Leave the beetroot pieces submerged for an hour.

Periodically shake the tubes during this duration.

5. After an hour, carefully remove the beetroot pieces from

the solution. Use a glass rod to help you fish out the
pieces. Leave the remaining coloured liquid behind.

6. Use a colorimeter to measure light absorbance by the

liquid in each test tube.

FAQs

→What are the factors that can affect cell membrane

structure (A-level Biology)?

The cell membrane structure can be affected by factors such

as temperature, pH, cholesterol levels, and the presence of

certain proteins and lipids.

→How does temperature affect cell membrane structure

in A-Level Biology?

An increase in temperature can cause the cell membrane to

become more fluid and lead to a change in its shape and

structure. On the other hand, a decrease in temperature can

cause the membrane to become more rigid and disrupt

normal cell function.

→How does pH affect cell membrane structure in A-

Level Biology?

The cell membrane is sensitive to changes in pH and a shift in

pH can alter the charge distribution and fluidity of the

membrane, potentially leading to changes in its structure and

function.

→How do cholesterol levels affect cell membrane

structure in A-Level Biology?

Cholesterol is an important component of the cell membrane

and helps to regulate its fluidity. High levels of cholesterol in

the membrane can lead to a decrease in fluidity and stability,

while low levels of cholesterol can cause the membrane to

become more fluid and lead to disruptions in cell function.

→How do proteins and lipids affect cell membrane

structure in A-Level Biology?

Proteins and lipids play a crucial role in maintaining the

structure and function of the cell membrane. The presence of

specific proteins and lipids can affect the fluidity and stability

of the membrane, and changes in their levels can result in

changes in the membrane’s structure and function.

→Can changes in cell membrane structure have an

impact on cell function?

Yes, changes in cell membrane structure can significantly

affect cell function. The cell membrane is responsible for

controlling the movement of molecules and ions into and out

of the cell, and changes in its structure can disrupt these

processes and result in changes in cell function.

→What Factors affect the permeability of cell

membranes?

The permeability of cell membranes can be affected by

several factors, including:

Temperature: Higher temperatures can increase the fluidity of

the membrane and cause the phospholipids to move around

more, which can increase its permeability.

Solvents: Certain solvents, such as alcohols or detergents, can

dissolve the lipid bilayer and disrupt the structure of the

membrane, leading to increased permeability.

pH: Extreme pH levels can affect the charges on the

membrane proteins and lipids, which can alter the structure

of the membrane and affect its permeability.

Presence of certain molecules: Some molecules, such as

hormones, can bind to receptors on the membrane and

cause changes in the structure of the membrane, which can

affect its permeability.

Lipid composition: The lipid composition of the membrane

can affect its permeability. For example, the presence of

unsaturated fatty acids can increase the fluidity of the

membrane, while the presence of cholesterol can decrease it.

Presence of transport proteins: Transport proteins in the

membrane can affect the permeability of the membrane by

facilitating the movement of specific molecules across the

membrane.

Overall, the permeability of the cell membrane is a highly

regulated process that can be affected by a variety of factors.

The proper functioning of the cell membrane is crucial for the

survival of the cell and its ability to maintain a stable internal

environment.

→How does temperature affect the structure of a cell

membrane?

Temperature can affect the structure of a cell membrane by

altering its fluidity. At lower temperatures, the phospholipid

molecules in the membrane are packed closely together and

are less mobile, making the membrane more rigid and less

permeable. This can restrict the movement of molecules

across the membrane, which can affect the proper

functioning of the cell.

At higher temperatures, the phospholipid molecules in the

membrane move around more and are more fluid, making

the membrane more permeable. This can allow molecules to

move across the membrane more easily, but can also lead to

damage or destruction of the membrane if the temperature

becomes too high.

Furthermore, high temperatures can also cause the

denaturation of membrane proteins, such as transport

proteins and receptors, which can affect their ability to

function properly. This can lead to an imbalance of ions and

other molecules across the membrane, which can affect the

overall functioning of the cell.

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