Professional Documents
Culture Documents
PLASMA MEMBRANE
Is very soft and thin
It is the outermost structure of a cell
Covers the whole cell and separates it from
external environment
A very effective barrier against free entry of
substances into cell
Made up of two layers of phospholipids (bilayers)
Has hydrophilic head and hydrophobic tail
Cholesterol stabilizes and strengthen the
membrane making it more flexible
Pore Protein
This protein molecule has a tiny pore or channel
which allows ions and small molecules to pass
through.
Carrier Protein
This protein molecule acts as a carrier which
carries considerably big molecules such as
glucose, amino acids and vitamin C.
The structure of the membrane is depicted as a
dynamic fluid in which molecules of protein look
as if they are floating in the lipid solution. The
molecules of protein and lipid are not static but
can move freely.
SIMPLE DIFFUSION
Random movement of ions or molecules from a
region of high water concentration to a region
of low water concentration, i.e. following the
concentration gradient.
Occurs until a state of equilibrium is reached.
Ex: the absorptions of lipid-soluble such as
vitamin ADEK into the villi, and the exchange of
gases such as oxygen and carbon dioxide
between alveoli and blood capillaries.
OSMOSIS
Diffusion which involves movement of solvent
(e.g. water) from a region of high water
concentration to a region of low water
concentration across the plasma membrane.
Occurs continuously until both sides of plasma
membrane have the same concentration.
Ex: water entering plant cells from root hair, and
osmoregulation in aquatic organisms such as
Amoeba.
FACILITATED DIFFUSION
Movement of substances across plasma membrane using
carrier proteins following the concentration gradient
Example of substances: Not lipid-soluble, charged
particles and big molecules (glucose & amino acids)
Have active site equipped with specific substances
When for an example glucose molecules approach this
active site and bind to it, carrier protein changes
shape and transports the glucose molecule into the cell.
ACTIVE TRANSPORT
Movement of substances across plasma
membrane against the concentration
gradient. This process only occurs in
living systems which actively produces
energy through respiration.
Needs energy from ATP molecules which
is used for moving the carrier protein so
that they can transport substances
against the concentration gradient.
-Plant cells
-The end-