A critical feature of the plasma membrane is that it is selectively permeable. This allows the plasma membrane to regulate transport across cellular boundaries--a function e
any cell's existence. How does phospholipid structure prevent certain molecules from crossing the plasma membrane freely?
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peripharal protein
cell-cell recognition
glycoprotein or
glycolipid
protein penetrating
hydrophobic part of
membrane
integral protein
cholesterol
Type of molecule
Hydrophobic or
hydrophilic?
Nonpolar molecules
(examples: hydrocarbons, O$_2$, CO$_2$)
cholesterol
Polar molecules
(examples: water, sugars)
Able to cross
lipid bilayer?
protein penetrating
hydrophobic part of
membrane
Group 1
glycoprotein or
glycolipid
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Transport protein
required?
Group 2
peripharal protein
Group 2
Ions
(examples: Na$^+$, K$^+$, Ca$^{2+}$, Cl$^-$)
integral protein
Group 3
Group 2