AP Bio - Cells and Membranes

Front

What is isotonic solution?

Back

An isotonic solution has the same concentration of solutes as another solution, resulting in no net movement of water across the plasma membrane.

Front

What happens to red blood cells in a hypertonic solution?

Back

Red blood cells will shrink due to water moving out of the cells.

Front

What is the driving force for simple diffusion?

Back

The concentration gradient, which is the difference in concentration of a substance across a space.

Front

What occurs when red blood cells are placed in a hypotonic solution?

Back

The cells will swell and may burst due to water moving into the cells.

Front

What is the role of cholesterol in the plasma membrane?

Back

Cholesterol helps to maintain membrane fluidity, especially at low temperatures.

Front

What are the main components of a prokaryotic cell?

Back

Prokaryotic cells typically contain a plasma membrane, DNA, ribosomes, and cytoplasm, but lack membrane-bound organelles like an endoplasmic reticulum.

Front

What is facilitated diffusion?

Back

Facilitated diffusion is the process of passive transport of molecules across a membrane via specific transmembrane integral proteins.

Front

How do unsaturated fatty acids affect membrane fluidity?

Back

Unsaturated fatty acids increase membrane fluidity by preventing tight packing of the lipid molecules.

Front

What is the function of the plasma membrane?

Back

The plasma membrane regulates the movement of substances in and out of the cell, providing protection and structural support.

Front

What is osmosis?

Back

Osmosis is the diffusion of water across a selectively permeable membrane from an area of lower solute concentration to an area of higher solute concentration.