PLASMA MEMBRANE QUESTIONS

1. What does the plasma membrane do?

2. Which three of the four bio-molecules we studied are found in the plasma membrane?

3. Which of the three bio-molecules makes up most of the plasma membrane?

4. What are the two parts to the phosphor-lipid molecule and how does each of these parts react to water?

5. What does polar mean?

6. What does non-polar mean?

7. What does hydrophobic mean?

8. What does hydrophilic mean?

9. What are the tiny openings between phosphor-lipid molecules called?

10. What is the function of plasma membrane proteins?

11. What is the function of the carbohydrates that make up part of the plasma membrane?

12. How would a polar molecule like water travel through the plasma membrane?

13. How would a non-polar molecule such as a fat or oil travel through the plasma membrane?

14. A group of scientists is studying a sample of cells. After several hours, they make the following observations: only polar molecules are passing back and forth across the plasma membrane. If you were one of these scientists, what conclusion would you make? Hint: which part of the membrane is not working efficiently?

15. If you were to construct a “fence” that worked like a plasma membrane, what would you use for the following:

a. phosphor-lipids (keep in mind the “job” of phosphor-lipids in the plasma membrane what type of substances these allow to pass through)

b. proteins (keep in mind the “job” of proteins in the plasma membrane and what type of substances these allow to pass through)

c. carbohydrates (keep in mind the “job” of carbohydrates in the plasma membrane)