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Alberta Science Focus 10 - Biology (Published 2004) Unit 3 Cycling of Matter in Living Systems Chapter 7 The Basis of Life Chapter 8 Dynamic Cells Chapter 9 From Cell to Organism: Focus on Plants

The activities of a living cell depend on the ability of its membrane to

1. transport raw materials into the cell (and out of)
2. transport manufactured products and wastes out of the cell
3. prevent unwanted matter from entering the cell
4. prevent the escape of matter needed to perform cellular functions

Cell Membrane Structure

Know and be able to label a phospholipid bilayer diagram

Phospholipid bilayer

each phospholipid molecule has a head that is hydrophilic (water-loving) and two tails that are hydrophobic (water-fearing)

Proteins in membranes serving the following functions

a) moving substances across the membrane
b) carrying out chemical reactions (they act as enzymes)
c) some have "marker" molecules (carbohydrate chains) on their surface allowing cells to recognize each other
d) allow messenger molecules (such as hormones) to attach
e) assist in cell-to-cell communication and control of cell functions

Protein position within a membrane:
Peripheral proteins

Peripheral proteins are partially embedded in the inside or outside surface of the membrane

Protein position within a membrane:
Integral proteins

Integral proteins extend through the entire bilayer and project from both surfaces

The Fluid-Mosaic Model

Cell membrane molecules are in constant motion (drifting past each other) resulting in:
a) membrane flexibility
b) cell's ability to change shape

Cell Membrane Function: A Biological Barrier

a cell membrane prevents many materials from entering the cell.

Cell Membrane Function: 6 materials a membrane prevents from entering the cell

- salts - atoms - viruses
- sugar - ions - bacteria
- proteins (7? this is what was in the notes)
most organelles are surrounded by membranes with the same structure as a cell membrane

Cell Membrane Function: Apoptosis

when the lysosome bursts and releases it's digestive enzymes into the cell resulting in cell destruction

Cell Membrane Function: A Selective Filter

Cell membranes are semi-permeable allowing some materials to cross, while excluding others. They can select a) by particle size
- small enough to enter membrane - O2 H2O
- too large to cross - sugar
b) particular materials to transport across (they bind to chemicals based on their size shape or charge)

Particle Model of Matter

all matter is made of tiny particles

Brownian Motion

in a liquid or gas, particles are in constant, random motion

Transport Across Cell Membranes: Selective Transport

the movement of only certain substances across the cell membrane

Transport Across Cell Membranes: Concentration Gradient

the difference in concentration between two areas for any given molecule produces a gradient or path of movement in which molecules move toward areas where the concentration of particles is lower
- molecules move down a concentration gradient

Transport Across Cell Membranes: Equilibrium

a state at which molecules are evenly distributed (the concentration is equal throughout the medium)
- molecules continue moving but equilibrium is maintained

Types of Transport Across Membranes: Passive Transport

movement across cell membranes without an input of energy
2 reasons molecules move.
1. Brownian Motion
2. Concentration gradients

Three Types of Passive Transport


Three Types of Passive Transport: 1. Diffusion

the net movement of particles from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration
- no energy is expended
- in a cell very small particles can cross the cell membrane by moving between the phospholipid molecules

Three Types of Passive Transport 2.Osmosis

the diffusion of water molecules across a membrane (water molecules move from where they are more highly concentrated to where they are less concentrated)

Hypotonic solution,

has a lower concentration of solute compared to inside the cell

Hypertonic solution

has a higher concentration of solute compared to the inside of the cell

Isotonic solution

has the same solute concentration on both sides of the cell membrane. Equilibrium has been reached. EQUAL FLOW of water into and out of the cell

Turgor pressure

The cell wall of a plant resists the pressure of a water-filled vacuole keeping the plant firm


Loss of water in a plant cell resulting in WILTING

Three Types of Passive Transport 3.Facilitated Diffusion

diffusion of molecules across the cell membrane by way of transport proteins.

Transport proteins

have 3-D shapes that make them highly selective, recognizing atoms or molecules by shape, size or charge.

Two types of transport proteins

a) carrier proteins - facilitate the diffusion of glucose across the cell membrane
b) channel proteins - have tunnel-like pores filled with water that allow charged ions in and out of the cell

Active Transport

the movement of molecules and ions against the concentration gradient which requires ATP energy and carrier proteins to pump these molecules from an area of low solute concentration to an area of high solute concentration.

Bulk Transport

the use of vesicles to facilitate movement of substances that are too large to enter or exit the cell via transport proteins


the cell membrane forms a pocket around the material to be transported, then either pinches off as a vesicle or a vacuole.

Differentiate between a Vacuole & Vesicle.

Vesicle transports contents
Vacuole stores the ingested material

Two types of Endocytosis:

a) phagocytosis - when cells "eat" by taking in large particles or other cells
b) pinocytosis - when cells "drink" by taking in droplets of fluid

Receptor - mediated endocytosi

receptors, like antennae, detect specific compounds or cells and bind with them, triggering endocytosis.


the reverse of endocytosis, whereby the membrane of vesicles or vacuoles fuses with the cell membrane and the stored contents are expelled from the cell.

Membranes at Work 1.Water Purification: Reverse osmosis

uses pressure to force contaminated water through a membrane with fine pores that will not allow bacteria, salts, and other dissolved molecules through, resulting in water with fewer impurities

Membranes at Work 2. Kidney Dialysis

filters toxic wastes that accumulate in the blood while retaining necessary proteins, glucose, amino acids & ions

Membranes at Work 3. Controlled Delivery of Medications

medication can be placed in a flat transdermal patch that sticks to the skin. A semi-permeable membrane lining the inner surface allows drugs to diffuse out of the patch at a slow, constant rate.

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