Learning Objectives

To know about the structure of cell

membrane.
To know about diffusion and
diffusion through cell membrane.

Lipid Barrier of the Cell
Membrane and Cell
Membrane Transport
Proteins
Diffusion
Random molecular movement of
substances molecule by molecule,
either through intermolecular spaces
in the membrane or in combination
with a carrier protein.
Active transport
Movement of ions or other
substances across the membrane in
combination with a carrier protein in
such a way that the carrier protein
causes the substance to move
against an energy gradient.
Diffusion
Two types of diffusion takes place
across cell membrane:-
1-Simple diffusion
2-Facilitated diffusion
Simple diffusion
It means the kinetic movement of
molecules or ions that occurs
through a membrane opening or
through intermolecular spaces
without any interaction with carrier
proteins in the membrane.
Pathways of simple diffusion
Through the interstices of lipid
bilayer in case of lipid bilayer
substances.
Through watery channels that
penetrate all the way through some
large transport proteins.
Determinants of rate of
diffusion
Amount of substance available
Velocity of kinetic motion
Number of opening in membrane
Size of the openings
Facilitated diffusion
It requires interaction of a carrier
protein.
Ions bind chemically with the
proteins.
Diffusion of Lipid soluble
substances
It is directly proportional to the lipid
solubility of the substance.
High lipid soluble substances:-
Oxygen
Nitrogen
CO2
Alcohol
Diffusion of Lipid insoluble
substances
Water and other lipid insoluble
molecules penetrates through
channel proteins.
Their diffusion depends on their size.
E.g Urea- 20% greater diameter than
water.1000 times less penetration.

Diffusion through Protein
channels
It has two imp. characteristics:-
Selective permeability
Gating of proteins channels

Selective permeability
It depends on following
characteristics of channel:-
Diameter
Shape
Nature of electrical charge
Chemical bonds on inside surface
Na channel
0.3 by 0.5 nm in diameter
Inner surface are strongly negatively
charged.
These ive charges pull small
dehydrated Na ions into channel.
Once inside the channel , go in either
direction.
K channels
Selective for K ions.
0.3 by 0.3 nm in diameter.
Not negatively charged.
Chemical bonds are different.
Gating of Protein channels
Two principal ways:-
Voltage gating
Chemical (Ligand) gating
Voltage Gating
When there is strong negative charge
inside of cell membrane, it causes Na
gates to remain tightly closed.
When inside negativity is lost, these
gates would open suddenly and Na
pores inward.
K gates are on intracellular ends of K
channels and open when inside of
CM becomes positively charged.
Their opening is partly responsible
for terminating action potential.

Chemical Gating
Some protein channel gates open by
binding of chemical substances with
the protein.
It causes conformational change that
opens or closes the gates.
This is chemical or ligand gating.

Example is the role of Ach in
acetylcholine channels.
Ach opens the channel and provide
-ivity inside that allows uncharged
molecules or positive ions to pass
through.

Important for transmission of nerve
signal from one nerve cell to another
or from nerve cell to muscle cell.