CELL / PLASMA MEMBRANE

Outermost component, enclosing the cytoplasm

FUNCTION:
Boundary & Barrier between intracellular
(inside) & extracellular (outside) materials
Cellular communication role
The fluid-mosaic model is the model used to describe the cell membrane
structure
IN TERMS OF STRUCTURE:
Phospholipid bilayer
Polar, phosphate-containing ends → hydrophilic
Non-polar, lipid ends → hydrophobic
confers strength & flexibility

Membrane channels
transport proteins / protein channel
“gate” – door for substances to go inside or outside the cell
Receptor molecules
proteins involved in signal transduction & communication
receives certain substances through receptors attached causing stimulation or
inhibition
receptors : glycoprotein – protein w/ carbohydrate attached or
glycolipid – lipid w/ carbohydrate attached
 Selectively permeable
Intracellular & extracellular materials have different compositions
Disruption can lead to physiologic changes or cellular death

Movement Through the Cell / Plasma Membrane

Diffusion
Osmosis
Carrier-mediated
Endocytosis and Exocytosis

DIFFUSION
Solution = S O L U T E (molecule or ion)
+
S OLVENT (liquid or gas)
movement of solute from higher to lower concentration gradient (concentration
difference) thru a semi-permeable membrane
Through:
cell membrane (lipid soluble: O2; CO2)
membrane channel (non-lipid soluble: Urea)
leak (K+) & gated (Na+; Cl-) channel
Leak channels – constantly allow ions to pass through.
Gated channels – limit the movement of ions across the membrane by opening
and closing
example in the body: 3xchange of gases in the lungs or body tissues
OSMOSIS
Movement of SOLVENT (water) through selective
permeable membrane from higher to lower water
concentration
Osmotic Pressure = Hydrostatic Pressure
salt exerts a pulling effect (attracts) on water
molecules
pulling power of salt = pushing power of
water

example in the body: absorption of water by the small intestine or kidneys

Solutions:
HYPOTONIC = more solvent: →→ concentrated (crenated)
HYPERTONIC = more solute: ←← dilute (swollen)
 ISOTONIC = equal solute & solvent: normal

CARRIER-MEDIATED TRANSPORT MECHANISMS

Use of specific protein Carrier Molecules
Facilitated Diffusion -
Active Transport
Secondary Active Transport

Facilitated Diffusion
Movement of substances from higher to lower concentration through a specific
carrier-mediated process
No ATP (energy) required = because passive movement is due to concentration
gradient
Ex: Intake of glucose by most cells

Active Transport
 Movement of substances from lower to higher
concentration against a concentration gradient
through a specific carrier-mediated process
Requires ATP (energy)
Ex:
Absorption of amino acids and glucose from food
by the cells of the small intestine
Sodium and potassium pumps in muscle & nerve
cells
Secondary Active Transport
Active transport (Na+-K+ pump) of one substance (Ex: Na+) across CM
establishing a concentration gradient
The diffusion (higher to lower) of that transported substance (Na+) provides the
energy to transport a second substance (Ex: glucose)
Cotransport
Countertransport

Receptor-Mediated Endocytosis
movement from outside to inside
Uptake of a specific material (large water-soluble molecules, small pieces of
matter or whole cells) through the CM specific receptor molecules by ‘vesicle’
(membrane sac = phagosome = food vacuole) formation
Phagocytosis
“solid particle” endocytosis
SWALLOWING
starts as a pseudopodium (foot) → becomes a phagosome (food
vacuole)
Pinocytosis
“liquid particle” endocytosis
DRINKING
 vesicle
Exocytosis – reverse process through secretory vesicles