General Biology 1

TRANSPORT MECHANISM 1
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 Learning Objectives
At the end of the lesson, you should be
able to;
a. Describe the Structural component of a
Cell/Plasma membrane and;
b. Relate the structure and composition of
the Cell membrane to its function
Transport- “to transfer or convey”

CELL MEMBRANE
TRANSPORT MECHANISM
Refers to the collection of mechanism that
regulates the passage of solutes such as IONs
and SMALL molecules through biological
membranes, which are lipid bilayers that
contain proteins embedded in them
 Who plays the vital role in the
transport mechanisms and separate
living cell from its surroundings?
CELL MEMBRANE /
PLASMA MEMBRANE
FLUID MOSAIC MODEL
The fluid mosaic model describes the
structure of the plasma membrane as
a mosaic of components —including
phospholipids, cholesterol, proteins, and
carbohydrates—that gives the
membrane a fluid character. Plasma
membranes range from 5 to 10 nm in
thickness. 
Structural Component of a
Plasma membrane
 Principal components of a
Plasma membrane
1. Phospholipid- composed of;
- 3-C glycerol
- fatty acids (saturated and unsaturated)
- phosphate group
2. Proteins- integral and peripheral
3. Carbohydrates- glycoproteins and glycolipids
4. Cholesterol-
 1. PHOSPHOLIPIDS

-main fabric of the membrane

Molecular structure of;
FATTY ACIDS
 Characteristics of Phospholipids
• Amphipathic
* HEAD
• can form hydrogen bonds with water
• are in contact with the aqueous fluid both inside
and outside the cell
• Polar- makes it hydrophilic or water-loving.
• Negative-charged.
* TAIL
• Non-polar and No-charged; hydrophobic
 Main functions of Phospholipids
• Phospholipid bilayers are critical
components of cell membranes.
• They acts as a barrier to the passage of
molecules and ions into and out of the cell.
• However, an important function of the cell
membrane is to allow selective passage of
certain substances into and out of cells.
 2. PROTEINS (transmembrane)

• Integral Proteins- (integrins) are integrated

completely within the membrane structure.
- primarily for transport
- receptor function, cell adhesion, structural
support
• Peripheral proteins- found on the exterior and
interior surfaces of the membrane only.
- primarily for cell recognition
 Cell recognition proteins
• Cell recognition proteins are glycoproteins that
have several functions, such as recognition of
pathogens . These proteins serve as a cell's
"identity badge"
if the cells of your immune
system see a cell in your body
that doesn't have the correct
glycoproteins sticking out of it.
 Cell recognition proteins
• It enables our body to distinguish between
our own cells and cells of other organisms.
• If you have low immune system, virus or
bacteria can go inside the cell and able to
copy the genetic material and hide their
viral characteristics. With that, Immune
system cannot already identify them and
virus or bacteria are free to destroy the cell
 Cell specific proteins
• The body recognizes its own proteins and
attacks foreign proteins associated with
invasive pathogens like viruses and bacteria.
• Specific proteins are valuable markers for a
variety of diseases including microbial
infections, inflammatory response, cardiac
risk and even cancer.
• Enzymes and hormones are specific proteins.
3. CARBOHYDRATES
( GLYCOCALYX )
 CARBOHYDRATES CHAIN

• May consist of 2-60 monosaccharide units and

can be either straight or branched.
• Forms a special sites on the cell
surface that allow cells to recognize
each other.
• This recognition function is very important to
cells, as it allows the immune system to
differentiate between body cells (“self”) and
foreign cells or tissues (“non-self”).
 GLYCOCALYX (“sugar-coating”)

• Glycocalyx is a highly charged layer of

membrane-bound biological macromolecules
attached to a cell membrane.
• Highly hydrophilic and attracts large amount of
water to the surface of the cell.
• It is important for cell identification, self/non-self
determination, and embryonic development.
• Also used in cell-cell attachment to form tissues.
 4. CHOLESTEROL

• It is a structural component of cell

membranes
• It has a crucial role in regulating cell
function
• Maintains the integrity and fluidity of the
plasma membrane
• Dampens effects of temperature
 CHOLESTEROL STRUCTURE

• C27H45OH (molecular formula)

• Hydroxyl group (polar and hydrophilic)
• A central sterol nucleus made of
four hydrocarbon rings (steroid)
• Hydrocarbon tail (non-polar and
hydrophobic)
 Function of Cholesterol
• Dampens the effects of temperature on the
membrane.
• It prevents lower temperature (cold) from
decreasing fluidity and preventing increased
temperature (warm) from increasing fluidity too
much. Its function extends in both direction.
• Other functions includes organizing clusters of
transmembrane proteins into lipid rafts.
 PRE-ACTIVITY: Direction: Provide the description of each structural components of the
cell membrane regarding its location and features inside the empty blanks.
COMPONENT LOCATION FEATURE/FUNCTION
Phospholipids The most abundant lipid in
the plasma membrane
1.

Cholesterol 2.
 
Dampen effects of
temperature

Integral Embedded in the

phospholipid bilayer; may or
3.

Proteins may not extend through

both layers

Peripheral On the inner or outer surface of

the phospholipid bilayer, but
4.

Proteins not embedded in its

hydrophobic core

Carbohydrates 5.


Cell recognition
Effective interaction with
Chains the aqueous environment
WHAT I KNOW ! (Assessment)

Direction: Provide the functions related to the Structures

and Compositions of Cell membrane inside the empty
blanks.
STRUCTURE OR FUNCTION
COMPONENT
1.Phospholipid Bilayer  

2.Membrane Markers  

3.Cytoskeleton  

4.Transmembrane Protein  

5.Membrane Receptors  
 Performance Task:
What’s New: Activity 1

Visual and Listening Activity

https://youtube/cP8iQu57dQo