Biology Summary Sheet:

Cell Membranes
Functions of Membranes:
-Physical Barrier
-Retains organelles within a cell
-Controls what enters and leaves a cell
-Cell recognition & Signaling
Cell Signaling: How cells communicate with one another
Communicate using messenger molecules;
-One cell releases a messenger molecule (eg a hormone)
-Molecule travels to another cell
-Binds to receptor on the cell membrane and detected by cell

Cell membrane is important in cell signaling.

A membrane which fails to function
properly can cause life threatening
problems such as Cystic Fibrosis.
Membrane surrounding cell is called the
cell surface membrane and ones around
organelles are cell membranes.
Membranes around organelles divide
the cell into compartments
-Functions more efficiently
[eg substance for respiration kept close]
-Membranes of some organelles are
folded =increased surface area.
-Membranes around organelles can
form vesicles to transport substances.
-Membrane bound proteins act as receptors
-Receptors have specific shapes = only complimentary messengers
-Different cells have different types of receptor = different responses
-Cell that responds to particular messenger is called a target cell.
Drugs also bind to cell membrane receptors
-Either to trigger a response in the cell
-Or to prevent the receptor from working by blocking it.
[Eg Antihistamines which stop histamines binding to receptors which
would otherwise cause inflammation. Antihistamines therefore stop
inflammation.]
Phospholipids
-Hydrophobic tail (repels water) Hydrophilic head (attracts water)
-Arranged head facing to water, tail away.
-Doesnʼt allow water soluble substances through (eg Ions)

Fluid Mosaic Model (moves like fluid)
-Shows membrane as a phospholipid
bilayer
-Cholesterol provide support
-Proteins are scattered around
-Some proteins and lipids have
polysaccharide chains
(Glycoproteins/Glycolipids)
Cholesterol
-Give stability- fit between phospholipids, bind to tails, tighter packed
Proteins
-Control what enters and leaves the cell and act as receptors.
-Channel proteins form paths, carrier proteins carry substances.
Glycolipids
Binding sites, receptors, cell signaling, antigens, bind cells together.

Membranes are affected by temperature

Temps below 0°C:
Phospholipids donʼt have much energy = canʼt move much.
Packed close together and membrane is rigid.
Channel and carrier proteins denature increasing permeability of the membrane.
Ice crystals may form and pierce the membrane = highly permeable when thawed.

Temps between 0°C and 45°C:

Phospholipids can move - are not as tightly packed.
Membrane is partially permeable.
As temp increases the phospholipids move more as they have more energy.
Increased permeability.

Temps above 45°C:

Phospholipid bilayer starts to melt.
Membrane becomes more permeable.
Water inside the cell expands putting pressure on the membrane.
Channel and carrier proteins denature so they cannot control what enters of leaves the cell.
Increased permeability.