THE PLASMA MEMBRANE

PHOSPHOLIPIDS

A phospholipid is a glyceride with only two fatty acids and one phosphate group.
A tri-glyceride is mainly made up of glycerol.

Phospholipids are polar molecules.

PROTEINS
Two types:
 INTRINSIC - Span bilayer - they can act as channels. Allow active transport using ATP.
 EXTRINSIC - On both sides of bilayer but don't go all the way through - they act as receptors
and recognition sites.
Proteins provide structure or support.
THE FLUID MOSAIC MODEL
Fluid --> Flexible, constantly move around, fluid.
Mosaic --> Appears as a mosaic because of the dotted proteins. Uneven distribution of proteins.

The cell membrane is usually around 6-10nm thick. The cell membrane is a selectively permeable
barrier.

Fluid Mosaic membranes are found around the nucleus, mitochondria, chloroplast, cell vacuoles,
endoplasmic reticulum and the golgi apparatus.

MOVEMENT OF SUBSTANCES THROUGH CELLS

DIFFUSION
The movement of particles from a high concentration to a low concentration without the need for
external energy.
Diffusion relies on:
 All particles having kinetic energy...
 ...Resulting in random movement.
 Particles bouncing off each other, and other objects (i.e the protein channel).
Three factors that effect diffusion:
1. Surface area.
2. Concentration gradient.
3. Thickness of the diffusion pathway.

However, this is not alwats applicable because of the nature of particles. the composition of the
membrane (eg, how many carrier proteins it has) also affect diffusion rates.

FACILITATED DIFFUSION

Facilitated diffusion is passive. It relies on kinetic energy and on CARRIER PROTEINS (as opposed
to channel proteins). Carrier proteins don't have any influence over the movement but does select
what goes through.
Glucose molecules are quite large and cannot pass through the phospholipid bilayer with ease.

OSMOSIS
Osmosis is the diffusion of water particles from an area of high water potential to an area of low
water potential through the semi-permeable membrane.
Animal and plant cell membranes allow the diffusion of water particles through the cell membrane as
water particles (like the phospholipids) are polar molecules.

Under standard condtions, pure water will have the highest water potential.
:. Pure water + a solute = a lowered water potential.
In solutions, the water potential is always negative (less than pure).
HYPOTONIC --> solution is less concentrated than the inside of the cell so water enters the cell and
causes the cells to burst (hemolysis).
ISOTONIC --> same concentration.
HYPERTONIC --> the solution is more concentrated than the inside of the cell which means that is
has a lower water potential and so water leaves the cell and causes crenation.

In plant cells:
- Turgid - filled with water because of the cell walls (they do not burst)
- Flaccid - limp

ACTIVE TRANSPORT
Active transport is the role of carrier proteins and the transfer of energy in the transport of
substances AGAINST the concentration gradient...
LOW CONC. -----> HIGH CONC.
...into and out of cells using energy in the form of ATP and carrier proteins.

4 Ways It Is Different To F.D:

1. ATP is required
2. molecules move against the concentration gradient
3. carrier proteins are used
4. it's a SELECTIVE process
SODIUM-POTASSIUM PUMP