Cell Membrane & Transport

Front

What is the function of the cell membrane?

Back

To regulate what enters and leaves the cell.

Front

What are the characteristics of the heads and tails of phospholipids?

Back

The heads are polar (hydrophilic) while the tails are nonpolar (hydrophobic).

Front

What is diffusion?

Back

The movement of particles across the membrane down their concentration gradient without the help of proteins.

Front

What does hydrophilic mean?

Back

Water-loving.

Front

What do protein channels do in the cell membrane?

Back

They facilitate the transport of substances across the membrane.

Front

What is the structure of a phospholipid?

Back

A phospholipid consists of a hydrophilic head and two hydrophobic tails.

Front

What is selective permeability?

Back

The ability of the cell membrane to allow certain substances to pass while blocking others.

Front

What is active transport?

Back

The movement of substances against their concentration gradient, requiring energy.

Front

What role does cholesterol play in the cell membrane?

Back

Cholesterol helps to stabilize the membrane's fluidity.

Front

What is facilitated diffusion?

Back

The process of transporting substances across a membrane with the help of protein channels, down their concentration gradient.