Cell Membrane & Transport

Front

What is the function of the cell membrane?

Back

The cell membrane protects the cell, provides structure, and regulates what enters and exits the cell.

Front

Define selectively permeable membrane.

Back

A selectively permeable membrane allows certain substances to pass through while blocking others.

Front

What is active transport?

Back

Active transport is the movement of substances across a cell membrane using energy, typically against their concentration gradient.

Front

What is osmosis?

Back

Osmosis is the movement of water molecules through a semi-permeable membrane from an area of lower solute concentration to an area of higher solute concentration.

Front

Where are peripheral proteins located in the cell membrane?

Back

Peripheral proteins are located on the surface of the cell membrane, either on the inside or outside.

Front

What role do integral proteins play in the cell membrane?

Back

Integral proteins are embedded in the lipid bilayer and function as channels or transporters for molecules.

Front

What is diffusion?

Back

Diffusion is the passive movement of molecules from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration.

Front

Explain facilitated diffusion.

Back

Facilitated diffusion is the process of passive transport of molecules across a cell membrane via specific transmembrane integral proteins.

Front

What are phospholipids?

Back

Phospholipids are molecules that make up the cell membrane, consisting of a hydrophilic (water-attracting) head and two hydrophobic (water-repelling) tails.

Front

What is the fluid mosaic model?

Back

The fluid mosaic model describes the structure of the cell membrane as a mosaic of various proteins that float in or on the fluid lipid bilayer.