Plasma Membrane

1.

Each phospholipid consist of two parts:

(a) Hydrophilic head-attracted to water
(b) Hydrophobic tail-repeled by water

2. Cholesterol in
the phospholipid
bilayer makes
the bilayer
stronger, more
flexible and
less permeable
to water-soluble
substances such
as ions.
3. Fluid Mosaic Model:
(a) not rigid or static but form a dynamic and fluid structure.
(b) protein molecules float about freely in phospholipid bilayer
(c) free to move sideways thus they have fluid characteristics
(d) form a mosaic pattern
Permeability of
phospholipid bilayer
Permeable
Not permeable
-non-polar molecules(lipid
-charged
ions
soluble)
-polar molecules(lipid insoluble)
-small molecule
-uncharged molecules

Simple diffusion
-the net movement of molecules or ions from a region of high concentration
to a region of lower concentration.(down the concentration gradient)
(a) lipid-soluble molecules such as vitamins A,D,E,K.
(b) small molecules such as water
(c) Dissolved gas such as oxygen and carbon dioxide
Osmosis
-diffusion
of water
molecules
across a
semipermeable
membrane.
-net
movement
of water
molecules
from a region of low solute concentration to a region of high solute
concentration through a semi-permeable membrane.
- Characteristics:does not require energy
:move across the phospholipid bilayer and pore protein
Similarities and differences
between simple diffusion and
osmosis
Similarities
-does not require energy
-move down the concentration gradient

-molecules move from regions of higher concentration to a region of lower

concentration until a state of dynamic equilibrium is reached.
Differences
Simple diffusion
Osmosis
Involves the movement of any
Involves only the movement of water
molecules
molecules
Does not require a semi-permeable
Occurs through a semi-permeable
membrane.
membrane

Facilitated diffusion
-the movement of hydrophilic molecules or ions across the plasma
membrane with the help of transport molecules.
-Characteristics : does not require energy
: move down the concentration gradient
: two types of transport protein-carrier protein/pore protein
The mechanism of facilitated diffusion through carrier protein
1. Molecules such as glucose, small proteins and amino acids move towards
the binding sites of the specific carrier proteins.
2. The molecule binds to a specific site of the carrier protein.
3. The carrier protein changes its shape to transport the molecule across the
plasma membrane.
4. The carrier protein assumes its original shape and is free to assist the
passage of other similar molecules into the cell.

Active Transport
-the movement of molecules or ions from a region of lower concentration to
a region of higher concentration across the plasma membrane.
-Characteristics : (a) requires energy
-cellular energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate
(ATP)

1. The
concentration
of sodium
ions is higher
on the
outside of the
cell.
2. The
sodium ions
approach the
carrier protein. The carrier protein has
a site for the sodium ions and another site to bind the ATP molecule.
3. The carrier protein changes its shape to allow it to take up three sodium
at a time.
4. The carrier protein binds the sodium ions. The ATP molecule is split into
adenosine diphosphate(ADP) and phosphate(P). The splitting of ATP
releases energy to the carrier protein. Energy from the ATP changes the
shape of the carrier protein.
5. Sodium ions are released outside the cell.
Differences between passive transport and active
transport

Passive Transport
Movement of substances follows the
concentration gradient
Cellular energy is required
Process continues until a dynamic
equilibrium is reached.
Not influenced by inhibitors

Active transport
Substances move against the
concentration gradient
Cellular energy(ATP) is required
Results in the accumulation of or
elimination of substances from the
cell.
Inhibited by inhibitors such as
cyanide

The effects of hypotonic, hypertonic and isotonic solutions on animal and

plant cell
(a) Hypertonic solution-higher solute concentration
(b) Hypotonic solution-lower solute concentration
(c) Isotonic solution-concentration of solutes are equal
1. Isotonic solution
(a)water diffuses into and out the cell at equal rates
(b)no net movement of water across the plasma membrane
2. Hypotonic solution

-When red blood cells are immersed in a hypotonic solution, water diffuses
into the cells by osmosis.
-The cell starts to swell and eventually burst.
-The plasma membrane of red blood cell is too thin to withstand the osmotic
pressure developed.
-This condition is known as haemolysis.
When
plant
cells
are

immersed in a hypotonic solution, water diffuses into the large central

vacuole by osmosis.
-The large central vacuole swells up and press outwards against the plasma
membrane.
-The plant does not burst because its rigid cell wall is strong enough to resist
the increasing pressure. Turgor pressure is created.

-Turgidity of plant cells is responsible for causing guard cells to swell so that
the stomata remain open for photosynthesis.

3. Hypertonic Solution

-When red blood cells are immersed in a hypertonic solution, water diffuses
out of the cell by osmosis.
-The cell loses water and the plasma membrane crinkles up.
-This condition is known as crenation.

-When plant cells are immersed in a hypertonic solution, water diffuses out
of the cell by osmosis.
-This phenomenon is called plasmolysis.
-The plant cell becomes flaccid and less turgid.
-The cell wall does not shrink because it is strong and rigid.
-A plasmolysed plant cell can become turgid again by immersing the cell in
a hypotonic solution like pure water. Water moves into the cell by osmosis
and the cell becomes turgid again.
-The plant cell have undergone deplasmolysis.

The effects of isotonic, hypotonic and hypertonic solutions on the stems of

non-woody plants
Distilled water
17% sucrose
30% sucrose
Solution
(hypotonic solution)

solution(isotonic
solution)

solution(hypertonic
solution)

-Remains
unchanged

-Shorter, thinner and

softer
-Curves inwards with
epidermal layer
outside
-Water leaves the cell
by osmosis through
the cut surface
causing the cells
become flaccid

Shape

Appearance -Longer, thicker ,

Discussion

turgid and firm

-Curves outwards
with epidermal layer
inside
-Water enters the cell -Water enters and
by osmosis through
leaves the cells at
the cut surface causes the same rate
the cells to swell
-Epidermis is
protected by a layer
of cuticle which is
waterproof so it is not
affected by osmosis