Cell Membrane
Structure and Function
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Activity 9: Cell Membrane Structure and Function
The Cell Membrane
Activity 9: Cell Membrane Structure and Function
Introduction
Read the introduction.

What basic characteristics of the cell
membrane have you learned from models
in the previous activities?
Activity 9: Cell Membrane Structure and Function
Challenge

How do the structures of the
cell membrane help it function?
Activity 9: Cell Membrane Structure and Function
Procedure

The questions in the reading do not
require a written response, but you should
answer them in your mind. The answers
will help you to understand the reading.
Activity 9: Cell Membrane Structure and Function
Follow Up
Analysis 3


A. What are the functions of the cell
membrane?
B. Explain which parts of the cell
membrane allow it to perform these
functions.
Activity 9: Cell Membrane Structure and Function
Follow Up
Analysis 5

Explain how the cell membrane helps the
cell maintain homeostasis – a stable
internal environment. Name specific
structures of the cell membrane and
describe their functions in your
explanation.
Activity 9: Cell Membrane Structure and Function
Follow Up
Analysis 6

Imagine a single-celled organism living in
a pond. What would happen to the
organism if runoff from irrigation caused
the pond to become significantly salty?
Use evidence to support your
explanation.
Activity 9: Cell Membrane Structure and Function
Revisit the
Challenge

How do the structures of the
cell membrane help it function?
Activity 9: Cell Membrane Structure and Function
Key
Vocabulary






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active transport
cell membrane,
membrane
diffusion
endocytosis
exocytosis
facilitated diffusion
fluid mosaic model
lipid
lipid bilayer
macromolecule

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osmosis
passive transport
phospholipid
phospholipid (lipid)
bilayer
protein
semi-permeable,
selectively permeable
vesicle
virus
Activity 9: Cell Membrane Structure and Function