Question

explain how the properties of the molecules and macromolecules that comprise biologicsl membranes are important to processes that transport materials in and out of cells

Answer 1

am i right that it is responsible for maintaining cellular homeostasis ??

Answer 2

Maintaining homeostasis is the big, important thing the cell membrane and proteins in it do - but the question asks how.

The question has two parts: the first is how does the membrane itself - the actual boundary between the cell and everything outside the cell - help the cell and the second is how the proteins in the membrane help the cell. Do you have any ideas about either of those?

Answer 3

Let's start with the membrane. What does the membrane actually do for a cell?

Answer 4

it helps to transport molecules or ions in and out of the menbrane with the gelp of protein channel and carrier protein

Answer 5

Hmm.

The membrane inside just separates the inside of the cell from the outside of it. Which is really, really important in maintaining the differences between the inside of the cell and the rest of the world.

You touch on the proteins in the membrane, and that's the second part of the puzzle. Those are what transport molecules through the cell membrane. How do you think transporting molecules across the cell membrane helps maintain homeostasis (i.e., steady conditions inside the cell)?

Answer 6

by controlling what substances may enter or leave the cell.

Answer 7

Yes, but how does controlling the substances leaving and entering a cell maintain homeostasis?

Keep in mind that the concentrations of molecules inside the cell and outside the cell are very different. And those molecules really, really like to flow down their concentration gradients and leak out of the cells...

Answer 8

hmm... okay so what helps maintain homeostasis

Answer 9

All those molecules that the cells would rather keep inside them tend to leak out. This is bad. And molecules which the cells would prefer to keep outside them tend to leak in. This is also bad. How do you think the transport proteins in the membrane help correct this problem?

Answer 10

What about this is confusing you...?

Answer 11

yes ...well i forget how it correct this problem

Answer 12

We're talking about how transport proteins help maintain a different environment inside the cell than outside it.

Answer 13

yes i know ...i think it help maintain a different environment inside the cell than outside it by facilitated difussion...i'm not that sure about it

Answer 14

Yes, that is pretty much it. Except that facilitated diffusion involves flow down a concentration gradient. Membrane proteins do some of that, but many are also active transporters. Even though it requires energy, active transporters move molecules against their concentration gradients back into the cells where they belong.

Clear?

Answer 15

yeah ok now i remember it again ....active transpoters uses ATP to transport of a substance against its concentration gradient......

Answer 16

Yes. Are you ready to go on to your third question? P.S., it's simpler than this one.

Answer 17

yes i'm ready thanks again for the help