GENERAL BIOLOGY 1

RESEARCH ACTIVITY: CELL MEMBRANE TRANSPORT

Section:_____11- Devotedness______________ Date:_______11/14/23__________

Group no:____________4__________________
Leader: Octaviano, Janine Ella
Members: Quidilig, Guidoriagao, Lucero, Plete, Pura, Penaranda, Navarro, Fernandez

Introduction: The cell membrane is a vital component of all cells. It plays a crucial role in
maintaining the integrity of the cell and regulating the passage of substances in and out. This
activity aims to explore the structure and functions of the cell membrane.

Answer the following questions concisely:

1. Cell Membrane Overview: Guidoriagao

- Write a brief explanation of the cell membrane's structure and composition.
:The cell membrane, also known as the plasma membrane, is found in all cells and serves to
separate the interior of the cell from the outside environment. The cell membrane regulates the
transport of materials into and out of the cell. The plasma membrane consists of both lipids and
proteins. The fundamental structure of the membrane is the phospholipid bilayer, which forms a
stable barrier between two aqueous compartments.
- Highlight key components, such as phospholipids, proteins, and cholesterol.
: Phospholipids are amphipathic, meaning they have both hydrophobic parts, which do not
readily mix with water, and hydrophilic parts, which mix with water. The hydrophilic parts are
called the heads, and the hydrophobic parts are called the tails. The amphipathic nature of the
phospholipids results in a bilayer structure of the membrane. It also allows the membrane to be
semi-permeable or selectively permeable; this means that the membrane only lets certain things
in and out of the cell. There are two main categories of membrane proteins: integral and
peripheral. Integral membrane proteins have at least one hydrophobic region that anchors them
to the hydrophobic core of the phospholipid bilayer. Meanwhile, peripheral membrane proteins
do not stick into the hydrophobic core of the membrane, and they tend to be more loosely
attached. Cholesterol are usually tucked between the hydrophobic tails of the membrane
phospholipids

2. Functions of the Cell Membrane: Octaviano

- List and describe at least three crucial functions of the cell membrane.
: Protects the cell by acting as a barrier
 They are semi-permeable, which means that some molecules can diffuse across
the lipid bilayer but others cannot.
Regulates the transport of substances in and out of the cell
 The membrane determines what solutes enter and leave a cell. Transmembrane
transport is controlled by complex interactions between membrane lipids,
proteins, and carbohydrates.
Receives chemical messengers from other cell
 Cell-surface receptors, also known as transmembrane receptors, are integral
proteins that bind to external signaling molecules. These receptors span the
 plasma membrane and perform signal transduction, in which an extracellular
signal is converted into an intercellular signal.

- Explain how these functions contribute to the overall health and survival of the cell.
:Cell membrane integrity is essential to cell viability and function. The cell membrane regulates
the movement of materials into and out of the cell. Specifically, the cell membrane mediates the
movement of nutrients into the cell and the export of toxins out of the cell. The cell membrane
definition also describes the structure as protective of the cell's contents. The barrier of the cell
membrane also enables the regulation of the cell's environment and the maintenance of
conditions for survival.

3. Selective Permeability: Fernandez

- Define selective permeability and explain why it is a vital characteristic of the cell
membrane.
: Selective permeability is a property of cellular membranes that only allows certain molecules to
enter or exit the cell. This is important for the cell to maintain its internal order irrespective of the
changes to the environment. The presence of a selectively permeable membrane allows the cell
to exercise control over the quantum, timing and rate of movement of these molecules.
- Provide examples of substances that can easily pass through and those that require
assistance.
: In the case of the cell membrane, only relatively small, nonpolar materials can move through
the lipid bilayer. Some examples of these are other lipids, oxygen and carbon dioxide gases,
and alcohol. However, water-soluble materials—like glucose, amino acids, and electrolytes—
need some assistance to cross the membrane because they are repelled by the hydrophobic
tails of the phospholipid bilayer.

4. Fluid Mosaic Model: Quidilig

- Explore the concept of the Fluid Mosaic Model.
: The fluid mosaic model of the cell membrane is how scientists describe what the cell
membrane looks and functions like, because it is made up of a bunch of different molecules that
are distributed across the membrane. It provides a dynamic and versatile representation of the
cell membrane, capturing its ability to undergo changes and interactions while maintaining
structural integrity and selective permeability.
- How does this model represent the structure of the cell membrane?
: It is presented for the gross organization and structure of the proteins and lipids of biological
membranes. This model states that the cell membrane is composed of a fluid lipid bilayer with
proteins that are embedded within it. It emphasizes the fluid nature of the structure wherein the
lipids and proteins are capable of lateral movement within the membrane as well as its mosaic
nature as it contains a variety of proteins and lipids, as well as certain carbohydrates, that are
distributed unevenly.
- What does the term "fluid" and "mosaic" imply in this context?
: The fluid mosaic model describes the plasma membrane as a ‘fluid` and a ‘mosaic’ structure.

5. Transport Proteins: Plete

- Discuss the role of transport proteins in the cell membrane.
: Because they make it easier for different substances to pass through the membrane, transport
proteins are essential components of the cell membrane. The membrane that divides the inside
of a cell from its surroundings is called the cell membrane, or plasma membrane. It is a barrier
that is selectively permeable.
- Provide specific examples of different types of transport proteins and their functions.
: Channel Protein - Forms channels or pores in the cell membrane. They allow the passage of
specific ions or molecules, depending on their size and charge.
Carrier Proteins - These proteins are bind to specific molecules and undergo a conformational
change to transport across the membrane, carrier proteins are involved in the transport of ions,
sugars, amino acid.
FUNCTIONS
 Facilitated Diffusion - Transport proteins allow molecules to travel passively down
concentration gradients.
 Active Transport - This process takes energy, which is frequently in the form of ATP, to
transport molecules from a low concentration area to a high concentration area.
 Ion channels - This is required for the cell's electrical balance as well as functions such
as nerve impulse transmission.
 Specificity and Regulation - Transport proteins guarantee that molecules are transported
in a particular and regulated manner, preventing the uncontrolled entry or exit of
chemicals that could impair cellular function.

6. Maintaining Homeostasis: Pura

- Explain how the cell membrane helps the cell maintain internal balance (homeostasis).
: Cell membranes enable organisms to maintain internal balance (homeostasis) by regulating
the materials that may enter or leave a cell.
- Discuss the importance of maintaining the right concentrations of ions and molecules.
: Maintaining a proper balance of ions inside and outside of cells is important for maintaining
osmotic balance. It is also important inside and outside of organelles like the mitochondria and
chloroplasts for energy generation. If the ionic balance of a cell is sufficiently disturbed by an
uncontrolled ionophore, a cell may die.

7. Cell Signaling: Penaranda

- Describe how the cell membrane is involved in cell signaling.
: Membrane-initiated signal transduction directly regulates enzyme activities, triggers the
formation of secondary messengers, and ultimately controls gene expression.Cellular
membranes are not rigid, passive structures; rather, they are actively involved in signaling.
- Include information about receptor proteins and signal transduction.
: Membrane composition expresses the levels of channel proteins and receptors, along with the
localization of these membrane proteins within membrane microdomains modulating membrane
processes and adjusting to the needs of the cell, the surrounding tissue, and the overall
organism. This Special Issue covers cutting-edge insights into the molecular mechanisms of
signal transduction, with a focus on cellular membranes.

References:
Question 1:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK9898/#:~:text=The%20fundamental%20structure%20of
%20the,the%20outside%20of%20the%20cell.
https://study.com/academy/lesson/major-structural-components-of-the-cell-
membrane.html#:~:text=Cell%20membranes%2C%20regardless%20of%20whether,carbohydra
tes%20and%20cholesterol%20or%20sterols.
https://www.khanacademy.org/science/ap-biology/cell-structure-and-function/plasma-
membranes/a/structure-of-the-plasma-membrane
Question 2:
https://quizlet.com/11982759/5-functions-of-the-cell-membrane-flash-cards/
https://www.nature.com/scitable/topicpage/cell-membranes-14052567/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7182109/#:~:text=The%20membrane%20determines
%20what%20solutes,lipids%2C%20proteins%2C%20and%20carbohydrates.
https://rwu.pressbooks.pub/bio103/chapter/cell-
communication/#:~:text=Cell%2Dsurface%20receptors%2C%20also%20known,converted%20into%
20an%20intercellular%20signal.
https://study.com/learn/lesson/cell-membrane-function-
importance.html#:~:text=The%20cell%20membrane%20provides%20an,and%20acids%20outside%
20the%20cell.
Question 3:
https://biologydictionary.net/selective-permeability/
https://open.oregonstate.education/aandp/chapter/3-1-the-cell-membrane/
Question 4:
https://www.khanacademy.org/science/ap-biology/cell-structure-and-function/membrane-
permeability/a/fluid-mosaic-model-cell-membranes-
article#:~:text=The%20fluid%20mosaic%20model%20of,are%20distributed%20across%20the%
20membrane.
https://www.biologyonline.com/dictionary/fluid-mosaic-model
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/4333397/
Question 5:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK9847/
Question 6:
https://www.boyertownasd.org/cms/lib07/PA01916192/Centricity/Domain/743/Chapter%205%20Les
son%201-Cell%20Structures%20Involved%20in%20Transport.pdf
https://bio.libretexts.org/Courses/Wheaton_College_Massachusetts/Principles_of_Biochemistry/09%
3A_Lipids_and_membranes/9.03%3A_Transport_in_Membranes
Question 7:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9413487/#:~:text=Among%20the%20essential%
20tasks%20of,and%20ultimately%20controls%20gene%20expression.
 GENERAL BIOLOGY 1
RESEARCH ACTIVITY: TRANSPORT MECHANISM IN CELLS

Section:_______ 11 - Devotedness____________ Date:_______11/14/23__________

Group no:______________4 ________________

Leader: Octaviano, Janine Ella

Members: Quidilig, Guidoriagao, Plete, Lucero, Pura, Penaranda, Fernandez, Navarro

Introduction: Cellular transport mechanisms are fundamental processes that ensure the proper
functioning and homeostasis of cells. This activity explores the various ways in which cells move
molecules across their membranes, maintaining a delicate balance essential for life.

Answer the following questions concisely:

1. What is the main difference between simple diffusion and facilitated diffusion? How does
osmosis differ from regular diffusion? Provide illustrations.
Lucero: Simple diffusion is an unassisted type of diffusion in which a particle moves from higher
to a lower concentration across a membrane whereas facilitated diffusion is the transport of
substances across a biological membrane through a concentration gradient by means of a
carrier molecule. The main difference between the two is that diffusion can occur in any mixture,
even when two solutions aren’t separated by a semipermeable membrane, whereas osmosis
exclusively occurs across a semipermeable membrane.

2. Explain the energy requirements for active transport. Provide an example of a substance that
is transported actively in cells.
Navarro: There are two categories of Active transport, the Primary Active transport which
directly uses a source of chemical energy like ATP (Adenosine triphosphate) to move molecules
across the membrane. And the Secondary transport, which uses an electrochemical gradient
(generated by active transport) as its energy source to move molecules against their gradient.

Examples of substances transported actively in cells are sugars, amino acids, organic acids and
inorganic ions such as sulfate, phosphate and potassium.
3. Compare and contrast endocytosis and exocytosis. Give an example of a cellular process
that involves each of these mechanisms.
Octaviano: Endocytosis involves cells taking in substances from outside the cell by engulfing
them in a vesicle derived from the cell membrane. Exocytosis is where cells shift materials, such
as waste products, from inside the cell to the extracellular space. The materials are engulfed in
a vesicle, again derived from the cell membrane.

Some examples of cells using exocytosis include: the secretion of proteins like enzymes,
peptide hormones and antibodies from different cells like the transportation of glucagon from the
pancreas into the liver where it is further processed for easier absorption into the blood stream.

4. If your group is a molecule entering a cell, which transport mechanism would you prefer and
why?
- If our group is a molecule entering a cell, the transport system that I would prefer is the active
transport, because the active transport is goal-oriented, because the active transport moves
molecules to specific locations where they are needed. And an addition to that, the active
transport is employed when passive mechanisms are insufficient, such as when moving
molecules against their natural flow. Which means that the active transport will find ways to
overcome obstacles and strategize when faced with challenges.

References:
Question 1:
https://pediaa.com/difference-between-simple-diffusion-and-facilitated-diffusion/
https://www.zmescience.com/science/difference-diffusion-osmosis-043243/
Question 2:
https://www.khanacademy.org/science/ap-biology/cell-structure-and-function/facilitated-
diffusion/a/active-transport
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/active-
transport#:~:text=The%20substance%20being%20transported%20combines,as%20sulphate%2
C%20phosphate%20and%20potassium.
Question 3:
https://www.technologynetworks.com/immunology/articles/endocytosis-and-exocytosis-
differences-and-similarities-334059#:~:text=proteins%20or%20channels.-
,Endocytosis%20vs%20exocytosis,cell%20to%20the%20extracellular%20space
https://bio.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Introductory_and_General_Biology/Book%3A_General_Bi
ology_(Boundless)/05%3A_Structure_and_Function_of_Plasma_Membranes/5.14%3A_Bulk_Tr
ansport_-
_Exocytosis#:~:text=Some%20examples%20of%20cells%20using,and%20the%20recycling%2
0of%20plasma
https://www.aatbio.com/resources/faq-frequently-asked-questions/What-are-some-examples-of-
exocytosis