Chapter 7

Membrane Structure and

Function

Plasma Membrane
Boundary that separates the living cell
from its non-living surrounding
Exhibits selective (semi) permeability,
allowing some substances to cross more
easily than others

Fluid Mosaic Model

Cellular membranes are fluid
mosaics of lipids and proteins.

Fluid Mosaic Model

Phospholipids (fluid part):
Most abundant lipid in the plasma membrane
Amphipathic: Containing both hydrophobic
and hydrophilic regions
Proteins (mosaic part):
Integral (transmembrane if they cross the
whole membrane): Embedded into the
phospholipids OR
Peripheral: Attached to just one side or other

nsaturated vs. Saturated Hydrocarbons

The type of hydrocarbon tails in
phospholipids affects the fluidity of the
plasma membrane.
Fluid
Viscous

Unsaturated hydrocarbon
tails with kinks

Saturated hydroCarbon tails

Role of Cholesterol
The steroid cholesterol has different effects on
animal membrane fluidity at different
temperatures.

Cholesterol

Cholesterol within the animal cell membrane

Membrane Proteins
Membrane proteins
(mosaic part) are
dispersed and
individually inserted
into the phospholipid
bilayer (fluid part).
Integral proteins
have hydrophobic
AND hydrophilic
stretches created by
the identity of the
amino acids.

Membrane Carbohydrates
Short carbohydrates bound to lipids
(glycolipids) or proteins (glycoproteins)
cover the outer surface of cells
These carbohydrates mediate cell-cell
recognition.

Example: ABO Blood

Types

Crossing the
Membrane
Cells need to control the exchange of
material with their environment.

Crossing the
Membrane
Polarity determines ease of passage
Hydrophobic molecules (non-polar)
Lipid soluble and can pass through
the membrane rapidly
Hydrophilic molecules (polar, ionic)
Do NOT cross the membrane rapidly
Need help of transport proteins

Passive vs. Active

Transport
Passive transport: Movement of a
substance across a membrane
with NO energy investment
Can be simple or facilitated diffusion

Active transport: Energy required

for transport, typically supplied by
ATP

Passive Transport: Simple Diffusion

Simple Diffusion: Tendency for

molecules to move from areas of high
concentration to areas of low
concentration.

Passive Transport: Simple

Diffusion

Small, hydrophobic molecules can move across the

membrane this way.
Note: Diffusion stops at equilibrium but movement
continues.

Facilitated Diffusion
Transport proteins speed the
movement of molecules (e.g.
polar or ions) that can not easily
pass across the plasma
membrane.
Can be called channel or carrier
proteins
Still passive so NO energy

Facilitated Diffusion
Channel proteins:
Provide corridors that allow a specific
molecule or ion to cross the membrane
Ion channels: If transporting ions
EXTRACELLULAR
FLUID

Channel protein

Polar or ionic Solute

CYTOPLASM

Facilitated Diffusion
Carrier proteins:
Undergo slight shape changes when solutes
bind
Change allows movement of solute binding site
across the membrane

Special Case of Facilitated Diffusion

Osmosis:

Lower concentration
of solute = Higher
concentration of
water

Higher concentration
of solute = Lower
concentration of water

Diffusion of
water across a semipermeable
membrane

Water moves from an area of higher

water concentration to an area
of lower water concentration
s

Tonicity
Tonicity:
Ability of a solutions solute concentration to cause
a cell to gain or lose water
In general, water moves down ITS concentration
gradient from high to low.
solute in a solution means
water

solute in a solution means

water

Isotonic
If a solution is ISOtonic:
Concentration of solutes outside is EQUAL
to the concentration inside the cell
There is no NET movement of water.
20% NaCl
80% H2O

Solution
(Environment)

20%
NaCl
80%
H2O

Cell

Hypotonic
If a solution is HYPOtonic:
Concentration of solutes outside is LOWER
to the concentration inside the cell
Net movement of water INTO cell, i.e. Cell
gains water
10% NaCl
90% H2O

Solution
(Environment)

20%
NaCl
80%
H2O

Cell

Hypertonic
If a solution is HYPERtonic:
Concentration of solutes outside is HIGHER
to the concentration inside the cell
Net movement of water OUT of the cell, i.e.
Cell loses water.
20% NaCl
80% H2O

Solution
(Environment)

10%
NaCl
90%
H2O

Cell

Tonicity Diagram: Its all

relative!
A

5% NaCl
95% H2O

5% NaCl
10% NaCl
20% NaCl
95% H2O
90% H2O
80% H2O
Hypotonic
Isotonic
Hypotonic
Hypertonic
Water movement

Hypertonic

Osmosis in Living
Cells

Osmosis in Living
Cells

Cell wall and central vacuole play important roles.

Active Transport
Moves substances AGAINST their
concentration gradient from LOW
to HIGH concentration
Requires energy, usually in the
form of ATP
Uses carrier proteins which act as
pumps

Sodium Potassium
Pump
Sodium Potassium Pump:
Example of active transport
Cells typically have higher K+ inside
and lower Na+
Maintaining this concentration
gradient requires ATP payment

Sodium Potassium
Pump

Movement of
Macromolecules
Transport of large molecules across the
plasma membrane occurs by
EXOCYTOSIS and ENDOCYTOSIS.

Exocytosis
Exocytosis (ex = exit):
Transport vesicles migrate to the plasma
membrane, fuse with it, and release their
contents

Endocytosis
Endocytosis (endo = in):
Cell takes in macromolecules by forming
new vesicles from the plasma membrane.

3 Categories of Endocytosis
Phagocytosis
PinocytosisReceptor Mediated
Eating
Drinking Selective drinking