 | Term | Definition |
| |
Integral Membrane Protein |
A protein that is tightly associated with the lipid bilayer of a biological membrane |
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Transmembrane Protein |
An integral membrane protein that spans the lipid bilayer |
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Peripheral Membrane Protein |
A protein associated with one of the surfaces of a biological membrane |
| |
Diffusion |
The net movement of particles from a region of higher concentration to a region of lower concentration resulting from random motion |
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Concentration Gradient |
A difference in the concentration of a substance from one point to another |
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Transport Protein |
Forms ion channels for polar and ionic substances to move across cell membrane |
| |
Channel Protein |
Faciliates the rapid transport of water through the plasma membrane in response to osmotic gradients |
| |
Carrier Protein |
Ions that are transported throught the membrane by integral membrane proteins |
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Osmosis |
The net movement of water by diffusion through a selectively permeable membrane from a region of higher concentration to a region of lower concentration |
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Isotonic |
A term applied to solutions that have identical concentrations of solute molecules and hence the same osmotic pressure |
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Hypertonic |
A term reffering to a solution having an osmotic pressure greater than that of the solution with which it is compared |
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Hypotonic |
A term reffering to a solution having an osmotic pressure less that that of the solution with which it is compared |
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Turgor Pressure |
Hydrostatic pressure that develops within a walled cell, such as a plant cell, when the osmotic pressure of the cells' contents is greater that the osmotic pressure of the surrounding fluids |
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Faciliated Diffusion |
The passive transport of ions or molecules by a specific carrier protein in a membrane |
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Sodium-Potassium Pump |
Active transport system that transports sodium ions out of, and potassium ions into, cells |
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Contransport |
The active transport of a substance from a region of low concentration to a region of high concentration by coupling its transport to the transport of a substance down its concentration gradient |
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Exocytosis |
The active transport of materials out of the cell by fusion of the cytoplasmic vesicles with the plasmic membrane |
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Endocytosis |
The active transport of substances into the cell by the formation of invaginated regions of the plasma membrane that pinch off and become cytoplasmic vesicles |
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Phagocytosis |
Cell eating |
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Pinocytosis |
Cell drinking |
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Cell Signaling |
Mechanisms of communicationbetween cells |
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Desosomes |
Button-like plaques, present on two oppsing cell surfaces, that hold the cells together by means of protein filaments that span the intercellular space |
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Adhering Junctions |
A type of anchoring junctions between cells; |
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Tight Junctions |
Specialized structures that form between some animal cells, producing a tight seal that prevents materials from passing through the spaces between the cells |
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Gap Junction |
Structure consisting of specialized regions of the plasma membrane of two adjacent cells; contains numerous pores that allow the passage of certain small molecules and ions between them |
| |
Plasmodesmata |
Cytoplasmic channels connecting adjacent plant cells and allowing for the movement of molecules and ions between cells |
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