Chapter 5: Life’s Border: The Plasma Membrane Destinations

5.1 — Nature of the Plasma Membrane

Cystic Fibrosis Resources for Daily Living and Information
http://www.cysticfibrosis.com
Browse this site for excellent information on the cause, consequences, and treatment of cystic fibrosis, a disease of cell membranes.

Keywords:cystic fibrosis, cell membranes

The Cell Membrane
http://cellbio.utmb.edu/cellbio/membrane.htm
The major functions of cell membranes are listed and briefly described here. Follow the links to learn more about specific functions.

Membrane Proteins Introduction
http://web.mit.edu/esgbio/www/cb/membranes/intro.html
MIT’s hypertextbook reviews the major membrane functions in terms of the proteins that carry them out.

Keywords: cell membrane, plasma membrane

Phospholipid/Cell Membrane
http://www.cbc.umn.edu/~mwd/cell_www/chapter2/membrane.html
This is a nicely illustrated guide to the components and general functions of cell membranes.

Membrane Structure and Composition
http://web.mit.edu/esgbio/www/cb/membranes/structure.html
From MIT’s hyptertext, this overview also provides a number of external links to more detailed information on membrane structure.

Keywords: cell membrane, fluid mosaic, phospholipid bilayer, plasma membrane

5.2 — Diffusion, Gradients and Osmosis

Osmosis and Membrane Permeability Tutorials

http://biog-101-104.bio.cornell.edu/BioG101_104/tutorials/osmosis.html
This Cornell site offers more details and interactive self-quizzes.

Keywords:diffusion, osmosis

5.3 — Moving Smaller Substances In and Out

The following two sites provide illustrated and animated overviews of facilitated diffusion and active transport.

Membrane Transport Mechanisms
http://web.mit.edu/esgbio/www/cb/membranes/transport.html

Facilitated Diffusion Animation
http://www.wisc-online.com/objects/index_tj.asp?objid=AP11103

Keywords: active transport, facilitated diffusion, sodium–potassium pump

5.4 — Getting the Big Stuff In and Out

Endocytosis and Exocytosis
John Kimball’s Biology Pages feature a good discussion of these processes, illustrated with numerous electron micrographs and drawings.

Exocytosis http://www.ultranet.com/~jkimball/BiologyPages/E/Exocytosis.html

Endocytosis http://www.ultranet.com/~jkimball/BiologyPages/E/Endocytosis.html

Keywords: endocytosis, exocytosis, phagocytosis

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