Weekly Update 3 - Cell Membranes

Weekly Update:  Week 3

---

TOPIC:  The Cell Membrane

This week we will be looking at the cell membrane as a fundamental structure of biology.

---

Suggested Readings:

• Chapter 6 - Cell Membranes from  Life: The Science of Biology by Sadava, Hillis, Heller, and Berenbaum.
•  Cell Theory - This wikipedia article give a good description of the history of the cell theory as well as a point-by-point description of the modern cell theory.  The latter point-by-point is a great blurb to keep in your note.

---

Learning Objectives

• Be able to discuss the cell theory and its applications and importance in biology.
• Remember:  As a theory, this is a model used to help inform our investigations in biology.
• Be able to discuss the structure and function of a biological membrane.
• Be able to answer this question:  Why is the cell membrane the defining structure of the cell?
• Be able to describe the role phospholipids, sterols and proteins play in the cell membrane.
• Be able to describe the Fluid Mosaic Model of the cell membrane.
• Be able to describe why the membrane is dynamic, and why it is important for the membrane to remain dynamic.
• Be able to discuss cellular adhesion, and the different forms  of cellular adhesion.
• Be able to discuss cell recognition.
• Be able to describe the passive processes of diffusion and osmosis.
• Be able to describe facilitated diffusion.
• Be able to describe Active Transport.
• Be able to describe the sodium/potassium ATPase transport system.
• Be able to describe the proton motive force.
• Be able to describe endocytosis, including phagocytosis, and exocytosis.