Molecular Biology - Ch 7

Front 1

Lectins

Back 1

Lectins are sugar-binding proteins which are highly specific for their sugar moieties. They typically play a role in biological recognition phenomena involving cells and proteins. For example, some viruses use lectins to attach themselves to the cells of the host organism during infection.

Front 2

Lipid Raft

Back 2

A lipid raft is a cholesterol and sphingolipid-enriched microdomain or platform found in cell membranes.[1] These specialized membrane microdomains compartmentalize cellular processes by serving as organizing centers for the assembly of signaling molecules, influencing membrane fluidity and membrane protein trafficking, and regulating neurotransmission and receptor trafficking

Front 3

Hopanoids

Back 3

Hopanoids are pentacyclic compounds (containing five rings), whose primary function is to improve plasma membrane fluidity in Bacteria

Front 4

________ fatty acids have ________ and contribute to increased membrane fluidity.

Back 4

_Unsaturated_ fatty acids have _double bonds_ and contribute to increased membrane fluidity.

Unsaturated fatty acids have double bonds, which result in bends or kinks such that the fatty acids cannot pack tightly. This increases membrane fluidity.

Front 5

increasing the proportion of 16-carbon relative to18-carbon fatty acids in their membranes will _______ fluidity

Back 5

increasing the proportion of 16-carbon relative to18-carbon fatty acids in their membranes will _increase_ fluidity

Front 6

membrane leaflet asymmetry

Back 6

a difference between one side (leaflet) of the membrane and the other