Chapter 8

1. Describe the function of the plasma membrane.
2. Explain how scientists used early experimental evidence to make deductions about membrane structure and function.
3. Describe the Davson-Danielli membrane model and explain how it contributed to our current understanding of membrane structure.
4. Describe the contribution J.D. Robertson, S.J. Singer, and G.L. Nicolson made to clarify membrane structure.
5. Describe the fluid properties of the cell membrane and explain how membrane fluidity is influenced by membrane composition.
6. Explain how hydrophobic interactions determine membrane structure and function.
7. Describe how proteins are spatially arranged in the cell membrane and how they contribute to membrane function.
8. Describe factors that affect selective permeability of membranes.
9. Define diffusion; explain what causes it and why it is a spontaneous process.
10. Explain what regulates the rate of passive transport.
11. Explain why a concentration gradient across a membrane represents potential energy.
12. Define osmosis and predict the direction of water movement based upon differences in solute concentration.
13. Explain how bound water affects the osmotic behavior of dilute biological fluids.
14. Describe how living cells with and without walls regulate water balance.
15. Explain how transport proteins are similar to enzymes.
16. Describe one model for facilitated diffusion.
17. Explain how active transport differs from diffusion.
18. Explain what mechanisms can generate a membrane potential or electrochemical gradient.
19. Explain how potential energy generated by transmembrane solute gradients can be harvested by the cell and used to transport substances across the membrane.
20. Explain how large molecules are transported across the cell membrane.
21. Give an example of receptor-mediated endocytosis.
22. Explain how membrane proteins interface with and respond to changes in the extracellular environment.