Plasma Membrane - AP Biology
Card 1 of 30
Identify the main structural component of the plasma membrane.
Identify the main structural component of the plasma membrane.
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Phospholipid bilayer. Forms the fundamental structure with hydrophilic heads and hydrophobic tails.
Phospholipid bilayer. Forms the fundamental structure with hydrophilic heads and hydrophobic tails.
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Identify the term for the movement of solutes down their concentration gradient.
Identify the term for the movement of solutes down their concentration gradient.
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Diffusion. Passive movement from high to low concentration areas.
Diffusion. Passive movement from high to low concentration areas.
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What is the primary function of the plasma membrane?
What is the primary function of the plasma membrane?
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To regulate the movement of substances in and out of the cell. Acts as a selective barrier controlling what enters and exits the cell.
To regulate the movement of substances in and out of the cell. Acts as a selective barrier controlling what enters and exits the cell.
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What role do proteins play in the plasma membrane?
What role do proteins play in the plasma membrane?
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Facilitate transport and signal transduction. Act as channels, carriers, and receptors for membrane functions.
Facilitate transport and signal transduction. Act as channels, carriers, and receptors for membrane functions.
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What is the primary function of the lipid bilayer in the plasma membrane?
What is the primary function of the lipid bilayer in the plasma membrane?
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To provide a barrier to water-soluble substances. Hydrophobic interior blocks passage of polar and charged substances.
To provide a barrier to water-soluble substances. Hydrophobic interior blocks passage of polar and charged substances.
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Which molecules can easily pass through the plasma membrane?
Which molecules can easily pass through the plasma membrane?
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Small nonpolar molecules. They dissolve in the lipid bilayer and cross without assistance.
Small nonpolar molecules. They dissolve in the lipid bilayer and cross without assistance.
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What is the primary function of the lipid bilayer in the plasma membrane?
What is the primary function of the lipid bilayer in the plasma membrane?
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To provide a barrier to water-soluble substances. Hydrophobic interior blocks passage of polar and charged substances.
To provide a barrier to water-soluble substances. Hydrophobic interior blocks passage of polar and charged substances.
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Identify a function of glycoproteins in the plasma membrane.
Identify a function of glycoproteins in the plasma membrane.
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Cell recognition and signaling. Sugar chains on proteins enable cell identification and communication.
Cell recognition and signaling. Sugar chains on proteins enable cell identification and communication.
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What is the function of glycoproteins in cell recognition?
What is the function of glycoproteins in cell recognition?
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To act as markers for cellular identification. Surface carbohydrates serve as cellular identification tags.
To act as markers for cellular identification. Surface carbohydrates serve as cellular identification tags.
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What is phagocytosis?
What is phagocytosis?
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A type of endocytosis for large particle uptake. Cell eating process where membrane engulfs solid particles.
A type of endocytosis for large particle uptake. Cell eating process where membrane engulfs solid particles.
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Which process describes the movement of water across the plasma membrane?
Which process describes the movement of water across the plasma membrane?
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Osmosis. Water diffuses across the membrane down its concentration gradient.
Osmosis. Water diffuses across the membrane down its concentration gradient.
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What is the primary role of the plasma membrane in cell signaling?
What is the primary role of the plasma membrane in cell signaling?
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To receive and transmit signals via receptor proteins. Membrane proteins detect signals and initiate cellular responses.
To receive and transmit signals via receptor proteins. Membrane proteins detect signals and initiate cellular responses.
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What distinguishes passive transport from active transport?
What distinguishes passive transport from active transport?
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Passive transport does not require energy, active transport does. Energy requirement distinguishes these two transport mechanisms.
Passive transport does not require energy, active transport does. Energy requirement distinguishes these two transport mechanisms.
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What is the term for the cell's release of materials to the extracellular space?
What is the term for the cell's release of materials to the extracellular space?
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Exocytosis. Active transport process moving materials from inside cell outward.
Exocytosis. Active transport process moving materials from inside cell outward.
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Which part of the phospholipid is hydrophilic?
Which part of the phospholipid is hydrophilic?
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The phosphate head. The phosphate group is polar and attracted to water.
The phosphate head. The phosphate group is polar and attracted to water.
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Which molecule stabilizes the plasma membrane by adjusting fluidity?
Which molecule stabilizes the plasma membrane by adjusting fluidity?
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Cholesterol. Modulates membrane flexibility by filling spaces between phospholipids.
Cholesterol. Modulates membrane flexibility by filling spaces between phospholipids.
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Identify the type of transport that uses vesicles to move large particles.
Identify the type of transport that uses vesicles to move large particles.
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Endocytosis and exocytosis. Bulk transport processes for materials too large for channels.
Endocytosis and exocytosis. Bulk transport processes for materials too large for channels.
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What is the term for the movement of ions against their concentration gradient?
What is the term for the movement of ions against their concentration gradient?
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Active transport. Requires energy to move substances from low to high concentration.
Active transport. Requires energy to move substances from low to high concentration.
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What is the function of receptor proteins in the plasma membrane?
What is the function of receptor proteins in the plasma membrane?
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To bind signaling molecules and initiate cellular responses. Enable cells to detect and respond to chemical signals.
To bind signaling molecules and initiate cellular responses. Enable cells to detect and respond to chemical signals.
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What is the role of peripheral proteins in the plasma membrane?
What is the role of peripheral proteins in the plasma membrane?
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To provide support and act as enzymes. Attached to membrane surface, not embedded within bilayer.
To provide support and act as enzymes. Attached to membrane surface, not embedded within bilayer.
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Which type of protein spans the entire plasma membrane?
Which type of protein spans the entire plasma membrane?
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Integral proteins. These transmembrane proteins extend across the entire bilayer.
Integral proteins. These transmembrane proteins extend across the entire bilayer.
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What is the function of cholesterol in the plasma membrane?
What is the function of cholesterol in the plasma membrane?
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To maintain membrane fluidity. Prevents membrane from becoming too rigid or too fluid.
To maintain membrane fluidity. Prevents membrane from becoming too rigid or too fluid.
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What role do proteins play in the plasma membrane?
What role do proteins play in the plasma membrane?
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Facilitate transport and signal transduction. Act as channels, carriers, and receptors for membrane functions.
Facilitate transport and signal transduction. Act as channels, carriers, and receptors for membrane functions.
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What property of the plasma membrane is described as 'selectively permeable'?
What property of the plasma membrane is described as 'selectively permeable'?
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Allows certain substances to pass while blocking others. Permeability depends on size, charge, and polarity of substances.
Allows certain substances to pass while blocking others. Permeability depends on size, charge, and polarity of substances.
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Identify the type of passive transport involving carrier proteins.
Identify the type of passive transport involving carrier proteins.
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Facilitated diffusion. Passive transport using proteins to move specific molecules down gradients.
Facilitated diffusion. Passive transport using proteins to move specific molecules down gradients.
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What is the role of aquaporins in the plasma membrane?
What is the role of aquaporins in the plasma membrane?
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Facilitate water transport. Specialized protein channels that allow rapid water movement.
Facilitate water transport. Specialized protein channels that allow rapid water movement.
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What is the primary function of the plasma membrane?
What is the primary function of the plasma membrane?
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To regulate the movement of substances in and out of the cell. Acts as a selective barrier controlling what enters and exits the cell.
To regulate the movement of substances in and out of the cell. Acts as a selective barrier controlling what enters and exits the cell.
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Which plasma membrane component acts as a signal receptor?
Which plasma membrane component acts as a signal receptor?
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Receptor proteins. Membrane proteins that detect and bind specific signaling molecules.
Receptor proteins. Membrane proteins that detect and bind specific signaling molecules.
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Which cellular process involves the uptake of molecules via vesicles?
Which cellular process involves the uptake of molecules via vesicles?
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Endocytosis. Membrane invaginates to bring external material into the cell.
Endocytosis. Membrane invaginates to bring external material into the cell.
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Identify the term for the uptake of large particles by a cell.
Identify the term for the uptake of large particles by a cell.
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Phagocytosis. Active process where cells engulf and internalize large particles.
Phagocytosis. Active process where cells engulf and internalize large particles.
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