How Substances Enter and Exit a Living Cell Free Essay, Term Paper and Book Report
BASIC STRUCTURE OF A CELL MEMBRANE
The cell membrane surrounds all living cells, and is the cell's most important organelle. It controls how substances can move in and out of the cell and is responsible for many other properties of the cell as well. The membranes that surround the nucleus and other organelles are almost identical to the cell membrane. Membranes are composed of phospholipids, proteins and carbohydrates arranged in a fluid mosaic structure.
SIMPLE OR LIPID DIFFUSION
A few substances can diffuse directly through the lipid bilayer, part of the membrane. The only substances that can do this are lipid-soluble molecules such as steroids, or very small molecules, such as H2O, O2 and CO2. For these molecules the membrane is no barrier at all. Since lipid diffusion is (obviously) a passive diffusion process, no energy is involved and substances can only move down their concentration gradient. Lipid diffusion cannot be controlled by the cell, in the sense of being switched on or off. It is controlled by the concept of equilibrium. The molecules move from a r......
Word Count: 730
Page Count: 2.9 (250 words a page / double spaced)
Search for other How Substances Enter and Exit a Living Cell essays, term papers and book reports.
Other Free Essays, Term Papers and Book Reports:
We realize you have a choice when selecting where to go to find a book report, essay or term paper on How Substances Enter and Exit a Living Cell so we appreciate your support in using our essay help and term paper help service.
|
|
Dear Free Essays:
Thanks for helping me with my term paper!
With so many essays and term papers on your service, I got a few ideas from mixing and matching and managed to write a great paper in 1/10 the time. My teacher thought so too because I got an A grade. Thank you so much!
Julia B.
Denver, Colorado
|
I'm very pleased with the quality of your term papers and essays. For all the time and worrying your service saved me from, it was well worth the $12.99.
Brandon W.
Columbus, Ohio
|
I totally waited to the last minute to work on my term paper and really started to freak. But your site totally came to my rescue and helped me out of a bind. I scored an 89 so I was very pleased. If your crew is ever in San Diego, I'll buy you all a beer!
Greg F.
UC San Diego
|
|