Module 2- Membranes

• Cholesterol- lipid that is found in the core of the membrane and makes it more rigid
• Transport proteins

  Bind to specific molecules and carry them across the membrane
• ATP synthase- membrane bound protein, catalyses the production of ATP
• glycolipids and glycoproteins-are able to form hydrogen bonds with water molecules surrounding the cell helping to stabilise the membrane
• glycolipids and glycoproteins

  Act as cell signalling receptors and have active binding sites for communication molecules eg hormones
• High Temperature

  Increase the fluidity of the membrane, increasing its permeability
• Using a water bath


  Can help keep the temperature
• Buffer solution


  Can be used to control the pH
• The more easily the phospholipid bilayer is dissolved 


  The more permeable the membrane is
• membrane bound proteins- large molecules embedded in the bilayer that can form open pores that allow diffusion of large molecules across the bilayer
• phospholipid- hydrophilic head faces outwards and hydrophobic tails face inwards