Plasma Membrane Structure and Transport Mechanisms
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Structure of the Plasma Membrane
Membrane Amphipathic Properties
The plasma membrane is amphipathic:
- Fatty acid tails are hydrophobic (repel water).
- Phosphate head groups are hydrophilic (attract water).
Transport Through the Membrane
Factors Affecting Transport
- The concentration of substances.
- The type of molecules.
Transport Mechanisms
Based on these factors, transport can occur by three phenomena:
- Passive transport
- Active transport
- Vesicle-mediated transport
Passive Transport
In passive transport, molecules move down their concentration gradient: from regions of higher concentration to regions of lower concentration. The cell does not expend energy; the process occurs spontaneously.
Types of Passive Transport
- Simple diffusion
- Osmosis
- Facilitated diffusion

