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1.3 Membrane structure

IB Syllabus Statements

Understandings:

  • Phospholipids form bilayers in water due to the amphipathic properties of phospholipid molecules.

  • Membrane proteins are diverse in terms of structure, position in the membrane and function.

  • Cholesterol is a component of animal cell membranes.

Applications and skills:

  • Application: Cholesterol in mammalian membranes reduces membrane fluidity and permeability to some solutes.

  • Skill: Drawing of the fluid mosaic model.

  • Skill: Analysis of evidence from electron microscopy that led to the proposal of the Davson-Danielli model.

  • Skill: Analysis of the falsification of the Davson-Danielli model that led to the Singer-Nicolson model.

Video

The Plasma Membrane (Cell Membrane)

Drawing the fluid-mosaic model

Models of membrane structure

Amphipathic Properties of Phospholipids

Flashcards

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Topic 1.3 Membrane structure SSaQ (Syllabus Statement as Questions)

  • Explain how the amphipathic properties of phospholipids help them to form bilayers in water.

  • Outline different types of membrane proteins, including their structure, position in the membrane, and function.

  • Outline the location and function of cholesterol in animal cell membranes.

  • Draw a diagram of the fluid mosaic model of the plasma membrane. Use the following guidelines: phospholipids draw as a circle with two parallel lines, show a range of membrane proteins, including glycoproteins

  • Explain the evidence from electron microscopy that led to the proposal of the Davson-Danielli model of the plasma membrane.

  • Explain the falsification of the Davson-Danielli model that led to the acceptance of the Singer-Nicolson model of the plasma membrane.

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