MCAT Basics (from MedSchoolCoach) Biological Membranes
Apr 1, 2025
Explore the fascinating world of biological membranes! Discover how these selectively permeable barriers are formed and their crucial role in cellular compartmentalization. Dive into the mechanics of transport, including the differences between active and passive methods. Learn about various membrane proteins and their functions, from receptors to transporters. Unravel the complexities of membrane dynamics, including endocytosis and the predominance of the fluid mosaic model. This episode sheds light on the intricacies that support life at the cellular level!
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Phospholipid Bilayer Drives Compartmentation
- Biological membranes are selectively permeable bilayers made mainly of phospholipids with hydrophilic heads and hydrophobic tails.
- This architecture drives spontaneous bilayer formation and compartmentalization in cells.
Membrane Lipids Tune Function And Recognition
- Membranes include sphingolipids, cholesterol, and glycolipids which tune structure and function.
- Cholesterol regulates fluidity while glycolipids present sugars on the exterior for recognition.
Membrane Formation And Flippase Rules
- Remember that lipid bilayer formation is spontaneous with ΔG ≈ -25 kJ/mol.
- Learn flipase (inside→outside) and flopase (outside→inside) to track phospholipid movement.
