what are two organelles that are specific to animal cells?
what are three organelles that are not found in animal cells but are found in plant cells and some other cells?
cell wall two functions
vacuoles two functions
chloroplast function
distinguish between the cytoplasm, the cytosol, and the lumen
what cellular functions occur at membranes?
describe the model proposed by Singer and Nicolson in 1972
Fluid Mosaic Model of the Membrane
- fluid: due to mobility of lipids and some of the proteins
- mosaic: many different lipids and many different proteins
- lipid bilayer: = 1 membrane consisting of two layers of leaflets
define amphipathic molecules
have different biochemical/biophysical properties on different sides of the molecule
what makes phospholipid molecules amphipathic?
they have a hydrophilic/polar head and hydrophobic tails
state three types of lipids that membranes are composed of
all have hydrophilic heads as well as hydrophobic tails
phospholipids
general structure of a phospholipid
polar head group (hydrophilic):
- different groups
- phosphate
glycerol
hydrocarbon tails
- length: 14-24 carbon atoms
- saturated/unsaturated
kink
what happens to phospholipids in aqueous environments?
how are sealed compartments formed by phospholipid bilayers?
define liposomes and describe their uses
artificial lipid bilayers used to:
1. study lipid properties
2. study membrane protein properties
3. drug delivery into cells (nanotechnology)
how can membrane fluidity be visualised?
live cell imaging where laser tweezers are used to manipulate the membrane show that a membrane can be deformed without causing damage
describe the different types of phospholipid movement within cell membranes
phospholipids within each leaflet rapidly:
- diffuse laterally (side-to-side or deeper into the membrane plane)
- rotate
- flex
- RARELY move from one leaflet to other (flip-flop) on their own
why is cell membrane fluidity carefully regulated?
as it is important for function, e.g. membrane proteins for transport, enzyme activity, signaling
two factors affecting membrane fluidity
how does temperature impact membrane fluidity?
lower temperatures make the membrane more viscous and less fluid, which is unwanted
how does composition - phospholipid saturation - impact membrane fluidity?
how does composition - phospholipid tail length - impact membrane fluidity?
shorter hydrocarbon tails increase fluidity at lower temperatures (lipid tails interact less)