Essay Questions
- Discuss the Fluid Mosaic Model in detail, incorporating the roles of phospholipids, cholesterol, integral proteins, peripheral proteins, and the glycocalyx in creating a dynamic yet stable cell boundary.
- Compare and contrast passive and active transport across the plasma membrane. Your answer should include specific examples of each, such as simple diffusion, ion channels, carrier proteins, and the Na⁺–K⁺ pump, and explain the energy requirements for each process.
- Explain the process of cell-to-cell communication via membrane receptors. Describe the three main types of membrane receptors (channel-linked, catalytic, and G protein-linked) and provide an example of how one of these systems transduces an extracellular signal into an intracellular response.
- Detail the molecular architecture that associates the plasmalemma with the cytoskeleton in both red blood cells and nonerythroid cells. Explain how defects in these components, such as spectrin, can lead to clinical conditions like hereditary spherocytosis.
- Analyze the clinical significance of plasma membrane components as discussed in the source material. Provide at least three distinct examples, such as the role of ABC-transporters in multidrug resistance, the effect of snake venom on acetylcholine receptors, or the molecular basis of cystinuria, and explain the underlying mechanism for each condition.