Unit 2 ONQ

Front

What are phospholipids?

Back

Phospholipids are molecules that consist of a hydrophilic (water-attracting) 'head' and two hydrophobic (water-repelling) 'tails'. They are essential components of cell membranes.

Front

What does amphipathic mean?

Back

Amphipathic refers to molecules that have both hydrophilic (water-attracting) and hydrophobic (water-repelling) parts, allowing them to form structures like lipid bilayers.

Front

What is the structure of a lipid bilayer?

Back

A lipid bilayer consists of two layers of phospholipids, with the hydrophilic heads facing outward towards the water and the hydrophobic tails facing inward, away from the water.

Front

What is the primary function of mitochondria?

Back

The primary function of mitochondria is to generate ATP (adenosine triphosphate) through the process of cellular respiration.

Front

What is diffusion?

Back

Diffusion is the movement of particles from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration, driven by the concentration gradient.

Front

What is a concentration gradient?

Back

A concentration gradient is the difference in the concentration of a substance across a space, which drives the movement of that substance during diffusion.

Front

How do cells increase their surface area?

Back

Cells can increase their surface area without increasing their size by incorporating folds in their membranes, which enhances their ability to absorb nutrients and exchange materials.

Front

What are integral membrane proteins?

Back

Integral membrane proteins are proteins that are embedded within the lipid bilayer of cell membranes and can extend across the membrane.

Front

What is the role of LDL receptors?

Back

LDL receptors are integral membrane proteins that help cells take up low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol from the bloodstream.

Front

What type of amino acids are found in the membrane-spanning region of integral proteins?

Back

The amino acids in the membrane-spanning region of integral proteins are typically hydrophobic, allowing them to interact with the lipid bilayer.