cell membrane

• What is the cell membrane?

  A thin, selectively permeable barrier
• What is the first component of the cell membrane listed?

  Peripheral proteins
• What is a glycoprotein?

  A glycoprotein is a protein with carbohydrate attached
• What do the hydrophilic phosphate heads of the phospholipid bilayer face towards?


  They face outwards towards the aqueous surroundings.
• What are the roles of peripheral proteins in the cell membrane?

  • Maintain cell shape
  • Participate in cell signaling
  • Enzyme activity
  • Attachment points for cytoskeleton
• How do cholesterol molecules affect membrane fluidity at low temperatures?

  They prevent the membrane from becoming rigid
• What type of proteins are embedded within the cell membrane?

  Integral proteins
• What is a glycoprotein?

  A glycoprotein is a protein with carbohydrate attached
• How do glycolipids and glycoproteins differ from integral proteins?

  They are additional surface markers
• What do cytoskeletal filaments provide for the cell membrane?

  Support structure
• What is the main function of the cell membrane?

  To regulate the movement of substances into and out of the cell.

  
• What are the main components of the cell membrane and their functions?

  • Phospholipid bilayer: Provides the basic structure and acts as a barrier
  • Cholesterol: Maintains membrane fluidity and stability
  • Integral proteins: Span the membrane and may act as channels or transporters
  • Peripheral proteins: Associate with the membrane surface and may act as enzymes or receptors
  • Glycolipids and glycoproteins: Involved in cell recognition and signaling

  
• What is the fluid mosaic model of the cell membrane?

  • The model describes the cell membrane as a fluid structure with components moving laterally
  • Mosaic refers to the diverse components such as lipids and proteins embedded within the membrane

  
• What type of lipid is the main component of the cell membrane?

  Phospholipids.

  
• Which component of the cell membrane helps maintain membrane fluidity?

  Cholesterol.

  
• What are the two main types of membrane proteins?

  • Integral proteins
  • Peripheral proteins

  
• What are glycolipids and glycoproteins?

  They are carbohydrates attached to lipids and proteins on the cell surface, respectively, involved in cell recognition.

  
• What is the function of glycoproteins in the cell membrane?

  Recognition on the membrane surface
• How would a lack of cholesterol affect the cell membrane?

  The cell membrane would lose stability and fluid integrity
• What is the function of cholesterol in the cell membrane?

  Provides stability
• What role do phospholipids play in the cell membrane?

  Form the barrier of the membrane
• What is the fluid mosaic model?

  Model describing the cell membrane structure