Membrane Function

How does the cell membrane control movement of materials?

Why?
The membrane is critical to the maintenance of homeostasis in living organisms. The cell membrane
separates the cell from the external environment and plays a critical role in regulating movement of
material in and out of the cell. Additionally, eukaryotic cells are made complex by the presence of internal
membranes
that form organelles, so the cells may become specialized. These organelle membranes create
compartments within the cell that can do specific functions.

Model 1 – Types of Ions and Molecules in a Cell

1. Consider the ions and molecules in Model 1.

a. Identify at least two substances that would need to move into a cell to maintain homeostasis.
Oxygen and water
b. Briefly explain why the cell needs each of the substances you identified in part a.
The cells need oxygen to be able to release energy from food and water to maintain balance.

2. Consider the ions and molecules in Model 1.

a. Identify at least two substances that would need to move out of a cell to maintain
homeostasis.
Carbon dioxide and Urea
b. Briefly explain the source of the molecules you identified in part a.
They help stimulate energy and break down oxygen for use in the cell.

3. Complete the table by labeling the types of substances as polar or nonpolar and large or small.
Polar Polar Polar Non polar

Small Large Small Small

Membrane Function 1
Model 2 – Selectively Permeable Cell Membrane

4.The four diagrams in Model 2 illustrate movement of four types of substances (see the table in
Model 1) across a phospholipid bilayer.
a. Use your knowledge of membrane structure and the chemical structures in Model 1 to
identify the shapes used in Model 2.

b. Label each diagram in Model 2 with the ion or molecule type (i.e., Type 1 Ions or Type 2
Molecules) based on the information in Model 1.
5. For each diagram in Model 2, circle the side of the membrane where the ion or molecule would
have originated in the normal function of a cell.
6. Assume the substances in Model 2 were on only one side of the membrane to start. The diagrams
illustrate what would happen after some time has passed.
a. Which substances in Model 2 appear to be completely blocked by the membrane?

Type 1

b. Which substances in Model 2 appear to be able to pass freely through the membrane?

Type 4

c. Which substances in Model 2 appear to pass through the membrane with some difficulty?

Type 2 and 3

d. Urea appears to pass through the membrane more easily than glucose. What characteristic of
urea might help explain this observation?

Since the glucose molecules are large compared to urea, it allos them to transport easily in and
out.

7. The majority of the membrane is made of nonpolar hydrocarbon chains. Use the diagrams in
Model 2 and the table in Model 1 to explain the permeability of the membrane for each of the
four types of substances in Model 1. Hint: Like dissolves like.

Type 1 Ions: will not interact with hydrophilic tails

Type 2 Molecules (Large, polar biomolecules): the larger molecules wont pass through transport
because of the hydrophobic tails

Type 3 Molecules (Small, polar molecules): The molecules are not small enough to interact with
the hydrophobic tails

Type 4 Molecules (Small, nonpolar molecules): They will interact with hydrophobic tails
Read This!
Diffusion is the process of molecules traveling through a membrane barrier from a location of high
concentration to a location of low concentration. The driving force for this process is simply the natural
movement of the molecules in random directions. Whether the molecules are allowed to cross or not is
only due to the polarity of the molecules themselves and their size. No energy is needed, which is why
diffusion is considered a type of passive transport. This process is illustrated in Model 2 for several
types of molecules.

Membrane Function 3

8. Label the embedded proteins in the membrane diagrams of Model 3.

9. What appears to be the effect of inserting a protein channel into the membrane on the
movement of molecules across the membrane?
The effeciency and selection of molecular transport through the membrane by the introduction
of protein channels. These channels are essential for allowing waste products to leave the cell
 in a controlled manner.

10. Is the inner surface of the embedded protein likely to be polar or nonpolar in the examples
shown in Model 3? Explain your reasoning.

Polar because of the arrangement of the amino acids.

Read This!
When an embedded protein assists in the passive transport of molecules across a barrier in the direction
of the concentration gradient (from high concentration to low concentration) it is called facilitated
diffusion. Embedded proteins may also be involved in active transport where the cell uses energy from
ATP to move molecules across a membrane against the concentration gradient.

11. Summarize the two types of passive transport discussed above. In your answer consider the
types of molecules that are transported, the direction of transport, and any external energy or
special structures that are needed in the process.

Facilitated diffusion requires the presence of certain transport proteins such as channels or carriers
that act as gates. These allow for the substances to cross the membrane efficiently. Another type
of passive transport is simple diffusion, where the lipid biylaer is broken down.

12. Summarize active transport. In your answer consider the direction of transport and any external
energy or special structures that are needed in the process.

Actiive transport requires the use of energy, usually ATP, to move molecules against concentration
gradients and is essential to cellular.
 4 POGIL™ Activities for AP* Biology
Extension Questions
13. Some embedded proteins are called aquaporins. What molecule do you think aquaporins assist
in transporting across a membrane? Water; as ‘aqua’ refers to water.

14. The molecules below are often moved into or out of cells during biological processes. Categorize
each molecule into one of the four types (from Model 1). Using that classification decide
whether or not they would be able to cross the cell membrane freely without the help of a
membrane protein.
Membrane Function 5