Cell Membrane and Transport Flashcard Review

Front

What is the fluid mosaic model of plasma membranes?

Back

The fluid mosaic model describes the plasma membrane as a mosaic of components (lipids, proteins, carbohydrates) that move freely and fluidly, allowing for flexibility and functionality.

Front

What type of transport requires transport proteins?

Back

Facilitated Diffusion requires transport proteins to help move substances across the cell membrane.

Front

What happens to a cell in a hypotonic solution?

Back

A cell will swell and perhaps burst (lyse) in a hypotonic solution due to the influx of water.

Front

What type of movement uses channels for large molecules?

Back

Facilitated diffusion uses channels to help large molecules move through the cell membrane.

Front

What occurs to a cell in an isotonic solution?

Back

A cell in an isotonic solution will stay the same size as the concentration of solutes is equal inside and outside the cell.

Front

Define passive transport.

Back

Passive transport is the movement of substances across a cell membrane without the use of energy, typically along the concentration gradient.

Front

What is active transport?

Back

Active transport is the movement of substances against their concentration gradient, requiring energy (ATP) and transport proteins.

Front

Explain osmosis.

Back

Osmosis is the diffusion of water across a selectively permeable membrane from an area of lower solute concentration to an area of higher solute concentration.

Front

What is the role of cholesterol in the plasma membrane?

Back

Cholesterol helps to stabilize the fluidity of the plasma membrane, making it less permeable to very small water-soluble molecules that might otherwise pass freely through.

Front

What are integral proteins?

Back

Integral proteins are proteins that are embedded in the lipid bilayer of the cell membrane and can span across the membrane.