Topic Two: Genes and Health

Explain how models such as the fluid mosaic model of cell membranes are interpretations of data used to develop
scientific explanations of the structure and properties of cell membranes.

Describe the structure and function of the parts of the cell membrane

1. Phospholipid bilayer – phosphate head is lipid soluble and therefore hydrophilic, the fatty acid tails are insoluble in
water and are therefore hydrophobic. Simple lipid soluble molecules can pass through; it acts as a barrier to all other
molecules.

2. Cholesterol, another lipid composed of four fused carbon rings, is found alongside phospholipids in the core of the
membrane

3. Integral proteins, which are imbedded in the phospholipid layers and may or may not penetrate through both layers.
Membrane proteins consist of transport proteins, receptor proteins, enzymes, and structural and recognition proteins

4. It also contains receptors for other molecules such as hormones, and enables adjacent cells to stick together.

5. The fluidity of the membrane and the mosaic arrangement of the protein give the structure of the membrane its
name – the fluid mosaic model

Explain why the current model of the cell membrane is known as the fluid mosaic model

It describes the cell membrane as a tapestry of several types of molecules (phospholipids, cholesterols, and proteins)
that are constantly moving. This movement helps the cell membrane maintain its role as a barrier between the inside
and outside of the cell environments

Explain what is meant by osmosis in terms of the movement of free water molecules through a partially permeable
membrane (consideration of water potential is not required).

Osmosis is …the movement of water particles through a partially permeable membrane from a region of low
concentration to a high concentration

Red blood cells shrivel in a hypertonic solution because. The water has gone out of the cell through osmosis, which
means that the concentration of salt is too high which causes the cell to become a hypertonic solution

Red blood cells do not change volume in an isotonic solution because the extracellular fluid has the same osmolality as
the cell, and there will be no net movement of water into or out of the cell.

Red blood cells can burst in a hypotonic solution because …  the extracellular fluid has lower osmolarity than the fluid

inside the cell, so the net flow of water will be into the cell . Which means that there will be too much water, which will

cause the cell to burst

Draw and label a simple diagram to illustrate facilitated diffusion through a cell membrane

Draw and label a simple diagram to illustrate active transport through a cell membrane

Draw and label a simple diagram to illustrate endocytosis

Draw and label a simple diagram to illustrate exocytosis

Property Facilitated Osmosis Active
Diffusion Transport
Passive process $

Requires a carrier protein $

Involves only water $

Molecules move from a high concentration to a low $

concentration

Describe the properties of gas exchange surfaces in living organisms (large surface area to volume ratio, thickness of
surface, difference in concentration) and explain how the structure of the mammalian lung is adapted for rapid gaseous
exchange.

Gaseous exchange is the delivery of oxygen from the lungs to the bloodstream, and the elimination of carbon dioxide
from the bloodstream to the lungs.

Factor affecting the Adaptations of the lungs

rate of diffusion
Large surface area to
volume ratio A large amount of alveoli

Diffusion distance
One cell thick

Concentration
gradient Oxygen constantly diffuses into the blood from the alveoli at the same rate as
carbon dioxide diffuses into the lungs, which helps to maintain a steep
concentration gradient.