Cell Membrane :

Structure and Function

Fig. 5-1a

Integrin
 Membrane Structure
All membranes are
phospholipid bilayers with
embedded proteins.
• Embedded in the bilayer are proteins
– Most of the membrane’s functions are
accomplished by the embedded proteins.
• Integral proteins span the membrane
• Peripheral proteins are on one side or the other of the
membrane
 MP related diseases
alzheimer's Disease
• The oxidative stress caused by Alzheimer's disease
in the brain results in phospholipid altercations.
Phospholipids are a key component of our cell
membranes. These altercations compromise the
cell membrane, therefore disrupting the function
of the brain cells.
 Plasma Membrane Components

• Glycoproteins and glycolipids are

proteins/lipids with short chain
carbohydrates attached on the extracellular
side of the membrane.
 Membrane Function
Cell Membranes organize the chemical activities
of cells.
• The outer plasma membrane
– forms a boundary between a living cell and its
surroundings
– Exhibits selective permeability
• Controls traffic of molecules in and out
Internal membrane Function

1. anchoring sites for cytoskeletal

filaments or components of
the extracellular matrix
maintain cells shape and move to
distant sites.
2. regulate the fusion of the
membrane with other
membranes in the cell via
specialized junctions
3. direct cell or organelle motility
4. Place of proteins : receptors
odors, tastes, hormons, pores for
in and out ions.
5. Place of peripheral cytosolic
proteins - as enzymes,
intracelluler signal transducers
6. acts as a permeability barrier i.e
prevents the entry of unwanted
materials from the extracelluler
milieu and the exit of metabolites
(e.g sugars and AA).
7. maintain ionic composition and pH
(7,2) of the cytosol.
8. Owing to osmosis, water moves
across pm, from a solution of low
 Ion channel
• pore-forming proteins that help to establish and control the
small voltage gradient across the plasma membrane of all
living cells ( electrochemical gradient).
• Movement of nonionic solute through a channel is strictly
passive (passive diffusion)
• Highly specific for : Na, K, Ca, Cl. channels permit the passage
of ions based solely on charge
• In some ion channels, passage through the pore is governed
by a "gate,“ .be opened or closed by chemical or
electrical signals, temperature, or
mechanical force,
• Ligand gate, allows many types of regulation. (e.g.
postsynaptic GABA- or glutamate-receptor channels), voltage-
gated, swelling- or stretch-activated, and heat- or cold-
activated channels.
 function
• A part of signal transduction : chemical
signalling (Ca2+ as a second messenger),
• transepithelial transport
• Regulation of pH and cell volume.
• Mediate ex.rapid electrical signaling of nerves
impulses and muscle contraction, also biologic
responses.
 Ion Channel defect – clinical relevance

• Cystic Fibrosis :
excessive production of fluid in the lungs due to a
defective calcium-ion channel. This channel contains a
protein that is important to the cell membrane of our
lungs.
• The Ca-ion channel controls the level of fluids and mucus
in our lungs. When this channel mutates into cystic
fibrosis, it causes the mucus to build up in the lungs,
making it hard to breath.
•
Cystic fibrosis
 Types of Membrane Proteins
1. Cell-cell recognition proteins
2. Integrins
3. Intercellular junction proteins
4. Enzymes
5. Signal transduction proteins
 Aka - Receptor proteins
6. Transport proteins
– Passive and active
1.Cell-cell recognition proteins
- identify type of cell and identify a cell as “self”
versus foreign
– Most are glycoproteins
• Carbohydrate chains vary between species, individuals,
and even between cell types in a given individual.
• Glycolipids also play a role in cell recognition
2. Integrins
are a type of integral
protein
– The cytoskeleton
attaches to integrins on
the cytoplasmic side of
the membrane
– Integrins strengthen the
membrane
3.Intercellular junction
proteins - help like cells
stick together to form
tissues
4.Many membrane proteins are enzymes
– especially important on the membranes of
organelles.
5. Signal transduction (receptor) proteins bind
hormones and other substances on the outside
of the cell.
– Binding triggers a change inside the cell.
• Called signal transduction
• Example: The binding of insulin to insulin receptors
causes the cell to put glucose transport proteins into the
membrane.
Fig. 5-1c

Messenger molecule

Receptor

Activated
molecule
 6.Transport Proteins
• Passive Transport Proteins
– allow water soluble substances (small polar
molecules and ions) to pass through the
membrane without any energy cost
• Active Transport Proteins
– The cell expends energy to transport water
soluble substances against their concentration
gradient
Fig. 5-1d
 Transport of Substances Across the
Plasma Membrane (PM)
1. Passive Transport
▫ (Simple) Diffusion
▫ Facilitated diffusion
▫ Osmosis
2. Active Transport
3. Bulk Flow
▫ Endocytosis
▫ Exocytosis
 Passive Transport
• In passive transport substances cross the
membrane by diffusion
– Diffusion - net movement of substances from an
area of high concentration to low concentration
• no energy required
 Simple Diffusion
• Nonpolar, hydrophobic molecules diffuse
directly through the lipid bilayer
– Simple diffusion does not require the use of
transport proteins.
– Examples: O2, CO2, steroids

• Polar, hydrophilic substances cannot pass

directly through the lipid bilayer
– Examples: water, ions, carbohydrates
 Simple Diffusion

Polar molecules
(ex. Glucose, water)
small, nonpolar molecules ions
(ex. O2, CO2) (ex. H+, Na+, K+)

LIPID-SOLUBLE WATER-SOLUBLE

LIPID-SOLUBLE
 Facilitated Diffusion
• small polar molecules and ions diffuse through
passive transport proteins.
– No energy needed
• Most passive transport proteins are solute
specific
• Example: glucose
 Facilitated Diffusion
Higher concentration of

Passive transport Lower

protein concentration
 Osmosis
• Osmosis – diffusion of water across a
selectively permeable membrane
•When a cell is placed in a Hypotonic solution:
– Cell gains water through osmosis
– Animal cell lyses; plant cell becomes turgid (firm)

•When a cell is placed a Hypertonic solution:

– Cell loses water through osmosis
– Animal cell shrivels; plant cell plasmolyzes
 Isotonic solution Hypotonic solution Hypertonic solution

H2 O
H2 O H2 O H2 O

Animal
cell

(1) Normal (2) Lysed (3) Shriveled

H2 O H2 O Plasma
H2 O H2 O
membrane

Plant
cell

(4) Flaccid (5) Turgid (6) Shriveled

(plasmolyzed)

See page 83
 Active Transport
• Active transport proteins move substances
across the PM against their concentration
gradient.
– Requires energy (ATP)
– Active transport proteins are highly selective
– Active transport is needed for proper functioning of
nerves and muscles
 Active Transport of “X”
– Active transport proteins span the
plasma membrane
– They have openings for “X” on only one
side of the membrane
– “X” enters the channel and binds to
functional groups inside the transport
protein.
– Cytoplasmic ATP binds to the transport
protein
 Fig. 5-8-4

Transport
protein

Protein Phosphate
changes shape detaches
Solute
1 Solute binding 2 Phosphorylation 3 Transport 4 Protein reversion
 Bulk Flow
• Vesicles are used to transport large particles
across the PM.
– Requires energy
• Types:
– Exocytosis
– Endocytosis
• Phagocytosis, pinocytosis, receptor-mediated
 Bulk Flow
• Exocytosis
– Cytoplasmic vesicle
merges with the PM
and releases its
contents
– Example:
• Golgi body vesicles
merge with the PM
an release their
contents
• How nerve cells
release
neurotransmittors
 Endocytosis
• Phagocytosis – cell eating
– Membrane sinks in and
captures solid particles for
transport into the cell
– Examples:
• Solid particles often
include: bacteria,
cell debris, or food
• Pinocytosis – cell drinking
– Cell brings in a liquid
 Endocytosis -
• Phagocytosis and
pinocytosis are not
selective
– Membrane sinks inward
and captures whatever
particles/fluid present.
– Vesicle forms and
merges with the Golgi
body…
 Receptor Mediated Endocytosis
• Receptor Mediated Endocytosis is a highly
specific form of endocytosis.
– Receptor proteins on the outside of the cell bind
specific substances and bring them into the cell
by endocytosis
Receptor Mediated Endocytosis
1. Receptor proteins on PM
bind specific substances
(vitamins, hormones.,
cholesterol, epidermal
growth factor hormon, Fe.)
2. Membrane sinks in and
forms a pit
– Called a coated pit
3. Pit pinches closed to
form a vesicle around
bound substances
• Cytoskeleton aids in
pulling in the membrane
and vesicle formation