UNIT: CELL BIO

TOPIC: Plasma Membrane

SEPTEMBER 23,
2016

AIM: How is the plasma membrane specialized to maintain

intracellular homeostasis?
DO NOW: What is an integral protein? Name the 5 integral
proteins we discussed. Choose one of the proteins and explain
its function.
AGENDA
Do Now Review
Conclude plasma
membrane:
Membrane fluidity
4 MINUTES

Why is it that
the plasma
membrane
does not melt
apart when it
is too hot or
freeze when it
is too cold?
3MINUTES

MEMBRANE FLUIDITY
WHY IS THE FLUID MOSAIC MODEL USED TO
DESCRIBE THE STRUCTURE OF THE PLASMA
MEMBRANE?

Fluidity in the plasma

membrane is
maintained by 2 major
factors
Temperature
Cholesterol

MEMBRANE FLUIDITY: TEMPERATURE

At LOW temperatures, the

phospholipids in a plasma
membrane will huddle close
together.
At low temperatures
phospholipids lack the
energy to move around, this
causes them to huddle
together in what is called a
CYRSTALIZED STATE.

Why do you think the

phospholipids behave
this way in cold
temperatures?

MEMBRANE FLUIDITY: TEMPERATURE

At HIGH temperatures, the

phospholipids in a plasma
membrane have more
energy and move around
more. This movement
creates more space
between the phospholipids.

This movement causes

the membrane fluidity to
be high.
C

MEMBRANE FLUIDITY: TEMPERATURE

Low Temperatures
(phospholipids
huddle together) =
Lower fluidity

High Temperatures
(phospholipids move
apart ) = Increased
fluidity

MEMBRANE FLUIDITY: CHOLESTEROL

Low Temperatures
(phospholipids
huddle together) =
Lower fluidity

High Temperatures
(phospholipids move
apart ) = Increased
fluidity

MEMBRANE FLUIDITY: Cholesterol

Low Temperatures
(phospholipids huddle
together) = Lower fluidity

At low
temperatures, the
presence of
cholesterol creates

How might this

help to increase
fluidity?

2MINUTES

MEMBRANE FLUIDITY: Cholesterol

High Temperatures
(phospholipids move
apart ) = Increased
fluidity

How might this

help to decrease
fluidity?
At high
temperatures, the
presence of
cholesterol

2MINUTES

EXIT SLIP