2.

4 Membranes
2. 4.1
2.4.2 Explain how hydrophylic & hydrophobic maintain
the structure of cell membrane
Hydrophilic : attracted to water
Hydrophobic are not attracted to water,
but attracted to each other.
Phospholipid: partly hydrophilic and
partly hydrophobic.
Phosphate head : hydrophilic
The 2 hydrocarbon tails : hydrophobic.
Phospholipid form double layers with heads contact
with water on both sides and tails away from water in
the centre. This arrangemet is found in biological
membranes. The attraction between the tail and the
head and surrounding water makes membrane very
stable.
 2.4.3 Functions of membrane protein
1. Hormone binding sites. a site exposed on the
outside of the membrane allows one specific hormone
to bind. A signal is transmitted to the inside of the cell.
2. Enzymes. Located in membranes either catalyse
reactions inside or outside the cells
3. Electron carriers. Are arranged in chains in the
membrane , and electrons can pass from one carrier
to another
4. Channels for passive transport. Passage through the
centre of membrane proteins. Each channel allows
one specific substance to pass through.
5. Pumps for active transport. Pumps release energy
from ATP and use it to move specific substances
across the membrane (protein carrier)
 2.4.4
Diffusion: The passive movement of particles
from a region of high concentration of solute
to a region of low concentration of solute
(down the concentration gradient) across
partially permeable membrane, and do not
need energy.

Osmosis: the passive movement of water

molecules, across a partially permeable
membrane from a region of lower solute
concentration to a region of higher solute
concentration ( down the concentration
gradient) and do not need energy.
• Passive movement or active
• From ………to ………
• Down or against the concentration gradient
• Partially permeable membrane
• Need energy or not
 2.4.5 Passive transport
Simple diffusion:
Facilitated Diffusion
Carrier proteins or permeases allow specific molecules to cross the bilayer.
Movement is along a concentration gradient, so no energy is required.
• Isotonic - same salt concentration on either side of
membrane
• Hypertonic - salt concentration in solution is higher and
water leaves cell
• Hypotonic - salt concentration in solution is lower and water
enters cell
Facilitated Diffusion:
Is the passive movement of particles from
region of higher concentration to a region
Of lower concentration, diffuse through
Membrane containing channel protein and
do not need energy.
 Example:
Simple Diffusion: O2, CO2, fatty acid,
Fascillitated Diffusion: Glucose
Active transport: Glucose, Na ion, K ion,

Channel Protein is for passive transport

Carrier protein is for active & passive transport.
2.4.6. Explain the role of protein pumps and ATP
in active transport across the membrane
• Active transport is the movement of substances
across membranes using energy from ATP. Active
transport can move substances against the
concentration gradient ……. From a region of
lower concentration to a region of higher
concentration. Protein pumps in the membrane
are used for active transport. Each pump only
transports particular substances, so cells can
control what is absorbed and what is expelled.
Pumps work in a specific direction ….. The
substance can only enter the pump on one side
and can only exit on the other side.
2.4.7. & 2.4.8.Explain how vesicles are used to transport
materials within a cell between the rough endoplasmic
reticulum, golgi apparatus and plasma membrane
• Proteins are synthesized by ribosomes and then enter
the rough endoplasmic reticulum
• Vesicles bud off from the RER and carry the proteins to
the golgi apparatus
• The golgi apparatus modifies the proteins
• Vesicles bud off from the golgi apparatus and carry the
modified proteins to the plasma membrane.
• Endocytosis: from out to in: Part of the plasma
membrane is pulled inwards, …..a droplet of fluid
becomes enclosed when vesicle is pinched off ……
Vesicles can then move through the cytoplasm carrying
their content.
• Exocytosis: from in to out: Vesicles fuse with the
plasma membrane …… The contents of the vesicle are
explelled …… the membrane then flattens out again.
• Phagocytosis: if the content of vesicle is solid

• Pinocytosis: if the content of vesicle is liquid

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