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3 Reading Guide

Membrane structure

State the nature of a substance which is considered to be Hydrophillic.

State the nature of a substance which is considered to be Hydrophobic.

State the nature of a substance which is considered to be Amphipathic.

Label the following diagram to indicate the phospholipid bilayer, the hydrophilic
phosphate head, the hydrophobic tail.

In the 1920’s Gorter and Grendel examined the area of the plasma cell membrane -
outline how they showed that the plasma cell membrane was not a monolayer. State
what thier model lacked upon its conclusion.

Explain the Davson - Danielli model of the membrane - draw your own picture of it.
Describe how the Singer and Nicholson model of the membrane differed from the
Davson - Danielli model.

Figure 5 TEM of plasma membrane of a red blood cell

Figure 5 shows the plasma membrane of a red blood cell and some of the cytoplasm near the
edge of the cell.

1. Describe the appearance of the plasma membrane.

2. Explain how this appearance suggested that the membrane had a central region of
phospholipid with layers of protein on either side.

3. Suggest reasons for the dark grainy appearance of the cytoplasm of the red blood cell.

4. Calculate the magnification of the electron micrograph assuming that the thickness of
the membrane is 10 nanometres.
The two sets of data-based questions that follow are based on the types of data that were
used to falsify the Davson–Danielli model of membrane structure.

1 In all of the fractured membranes(figure 6) in the micrograph small granules are visible.

a) State what these granules are.

b) Explain the significance of these granules in the investigation of membrane structure.

2 One of the membranes that surround the nucleus is visible on the left of the micrograph.
Deduce whether it is the inner or outer nuclear membrane. (Always give your reasons when
asked to deduce something.)

3 Identify three mitochondria visible in the micrograph, either using labels or by describing their
positions.
4 Explain the evidence from the micrograph that this cell was processing proteins in its
cytoplasm.

1 Calculate the mean percentage of cells with markers fully mixed for each time after fusion.

2 Plot a graph of the results, including range bars for times where there was variation in the
results. To do this you plot the highest and lowest results with a small bar and
join these bars with a ruled line. You should also plot the mean result with a cross. This will lie
on the range bar.

3 Describe the trend shown by the graph.

4 Explain whether the results fit the Davson–Danielli model or the Singer–Nicolson model more
closely.

5 Explain the benefit of plotting range bars on graphs.

6 During this experiment the cells were incubated at 37 °C. Suggest a reason for the
researchers choosing this temperature.

7 The experiment was repeated at different temperatures. Figure 7 shows the results. 100
Explain the trends shown in the graph for temperatures between 15 and 35 °C.

8 Explain the trends shown in the graph for temperatures below 15 °C.

9 When ATP synthesis was blocked in the cells, the mixing of the red and green markers still
occurred. Explain what conclusion can be drawn from this.

10 Predict, with reasons, the results of the experiment if it was repeated using cells from arctic
fish rather than from mice or humans.

State the function of the following membrane proteins, and give an example
where applicable.

Hormone binding site -

Immobilized enzyme -

Adhesive protein

Receptor -

Channels -

Pumps-
Describe how membrane proteins are divided into 2 major groups (integral, and
peripheral)
Based on the following model - Draw the membrane structure
Cholesterol in membranes

Define Cholesterol -

State the complex relationship between Cholesterol and water.

Explain the role of Cholesterol in membranes