Cell Membrane

Cell Requirements
The body systems work together to ensure the cellular environment is kept
constant - this is called homeostasis.
Exchange of nutrients and wastes is continually occurring between the
extracellular fluid (fluid between cells) and the cell to maintain balance.
 E.g. all cells need to take in oxygen and glucose for energy production through cellular
respiration, and all cells need carbon dioxide (CO2) to be removed

The pH and concentration of substances in extracellular fluid are

maintained
Cells are maintained at a constant temperature
Cell Structure
Functions of the Cell Membrane

Physical Barrier
Separates the contents of the cell (intracellular) with the outside
of the cell (extracellular)
Important as they have very different compositions
Note: Extracellular
fluid includes tissue
fluid (Interstitial /
Intercellular fluid) &
blood plasma
Functions of the Cell Membrane

Regulates the movement of substances into and out of cell

“Differentially/ Selectively Permeable”
Maintains homeostasis
Sensitivity
First part of the cell affected by any changes in extracellular fluid.
Has receptors that are sensitive to particular molecules
Support
Attached to cytoskeleton (microfilaments attach to the internal part of
membrane)
Membranes of adjacent cells may also be connected
Cell Membrane Structure
“Fluid Mosaic Model”
 Fluid – molecules constantly changing position
 Mosaic – made of lot of different types of molecules
Cell Membrane Structure
Main structure is made of phospholipid molecules (lipids attached to a
phosphate group)
Arranged in a “bi-layer”
Hydrophilic head and
Hydrophobic tail
‘hydro’ – water
‘philic’ – ‘loving’
‘phobic’ – ‘hating’
Cell Membrane Structure

Embedded in phospholipid bi-layer are cholesterol molecules.

These stiffen the membrane to provide stability while also
maintaining fluidity.
The membrane is also embedded with a variety of proteins:
Channel Proteins
Carrier Proteins
Receptor Proteins
Cell-identity markers / Recognition Proteins
Cell Membrane Proteins
Channel Proteins
Form a channel through the membrane for smaller molecules to pass through
Used for simple diffusion
Carrier Proteins
Bind to larger molecules and help them move across the membrane
Used for facilitated diffusion or active transport
Cell Membrane Proteins
Cell Membrane Proteins

Receptor Proteins
Molecules outside the cell can bind with receptor proteins to cause a change
within the cell.
Each type of receptor will only bind with one particular molecule
Specific – “Lock And Key Model”
Some hormones work in this way:
 The hormone insulin binds to a specific receptor protein and
this leads to an increase in glucose absorption by the cell.
Cell Membrane Proteins
RECOGNITION PROTEINS
Have a carbohydrate group projecting out of the cell
which act as ID tags, allowing the cell to be
recognised as “self” or a
foreign cell, “non-self”.
Identifies the cell to prevent attack by the body’s
immune system
Cell Membrane Proteins
Your Tasks
• In your text books turn to Page 32-33 'Cell requirements' make notes on the
Cell membrane (Plasma Membrane). Copy diagram of the cell membrane.

• Make notes from the ppt slides 4-17

• Worksheet 2.2 Transport across a membrane