Download MEMBRANE AND TRANSPORT ONLINE BIOLOGY DR. B PART I

MEMBRANE AND TRANSPORT ONLINE
BIOLOGY
PART I: Cell Membrane
Go to the following two sites: Cell Membrane, on the Life Science Connections
website, and The Cell Membrane, on the University of South Dakota website.
Answer:

What is the major function of a cell membrane?

Why did the first site depict the cell membrane as a gate?

Describe the structure of a cell membrane.

How is the structure of the cell membrane related to its function?
The cell membrane to act as a physical barrier marking the boundary of the
cytoplasm and protecting the contents of the cell.
It also controls the interaction of the cell with its surroundings.
DR. B
MEMBRANE AND TRANSPORT ONLINE
BIOLOGY
DR. B
The analogy of a gate is an effective one because anything going into or out of the cell
must first cross the cell membrane. Thus, the cell membrane plays a critical role in the
acquisition of gases (such as oxygen necessary for cellular respiration), nutrients, and
water. Similarly, the cell membrane also allows things to leave the cell such as carbon
dioxide gas, water, and wastes.
Go to the Plant Cell Wall website.
Answer:

What is the major function of the cell wall?

Describe the structure of the cell wall and its composition.

How is the structure of the cell wall related to its function?

What are the differences and similarities between the cell membrane and the
cell wall?
MEMBRANE AND TRANSPORT ONLINE
BIOLOGY
DR. B
Surrounding every cell is some sort of covering that keeps what's inside the cell inside
and prevents harmful particles in the external environment from diffusing into the
cell. Both the cell membrane and the cell wall serve this function. All cells have a cell
membrane, and certain cells (plant and bacterial) also have a cell wall.
The cell membrane's main function is to regulate the movement of materials into and
out of the cell. However, not everything can just pass through the cell membrane—
only certain materials. Thus, scientists say that the cell membrane is selectively
permeable, which means that only selective (certain) substances can permeate (go
through) the membrane. The cell wall is a structure that surrounds the cell
membrane and provides strength and rigidity to cells. Unlike the cell membrane, the
cell wall is not selectively permeable; things can easily pass through the wall.
PART II: Cell membrane and nanotechnology
Go to the following website and answer the following questions:
http://www.wisc-online.com/objects/ViewObject.aspx?ID=NAN405
1) What type of biomolecule are nanoparticles attached to?
2) How can our knowledge of the cell membrane help us develop technologies
that can improve our ability to detect (and therefore treat) diseases?
3) How do you feel about this?
MEMBRANE AND TRANSPORT ONLINE
BIOLOGY
DR. B
PART III: Cell membrane structure and homeostasis
Go to the following website and answer the following questions:
http://www.teachersdomain.org/asset/tdc02_int_membraneweb/
1) What is diffusion? Active transport? How do they help the cells maintain
homeostasis?
2) How does the structure of the cell membrane assist in maintaining
homeostasis for the following: oxygen, carbon dioxide, glucose, potassium,
sodium, water, and enzymes?
Click on each of these and summarize their importance and highlight the
important concepts in each description.
a) Oxygen
b) Carbon dioxide
c) Glucose
d) Potassium
e) Sodium
f) Water
g) Enzymes