Cell Membrane Structure - Function Reading Interactive online ... - Free Printable

Okay, now I see the matching section clearly. The task is to match each function or property with the correct letter from the main diagram. I need to recall what each letter represents and connect it to these functions.

Let me analyze each line:

1. Attracts water: This describes a hydrophilic substance. In the phospholipid bilayer, the phosphate heads are hydrophilic. In the main diagram, the outer surfaces of the bilayer (where the heads are) are exposed to the aqueous environment. While no single letter points directly to just the heads, the entire structure 'A' (the phospholipid bilayer) has this property on its surfaces. However, the most direct answer might be related to the carbohydrate chains ('E' or 'C'), which are also hydrophilic and involved in recognition, but the primary water-attracting part of the membrane is the phospholipid head groups. Since 'A' is the whole bilayer, it's the best fit for this general property.

2. Repels water: This describes a hydrophobic substance. The fatty acid tails ('F' and 'G') are hydrophobic and form the interior of the bilayer, repelling water. So, 'F' or 'G' would be the correct answer.

3. Helps maintain flexibility of membrane: Cholesterol ('I') is known to modulate the fluidity and flexibility of the cell membrane, preventing it from becoming too rigid at low temperatures or too fluid at high temperatures.

4. Makes up the bilayer (2 answers): The phospholipid bilayer is composed of phospholipids, which have a head and a tail. Therefore, the two parts that make up the bilayer are the phosphate heads and the fatty acid tails. In the diagram, 'A' represents the entire bilayer, but the question asks for the components. The letters pointing to the components are 'F' and 'G' for the tails, and implicitly, the heads are the other component. However, since the worksheet likely expects letters from the diagram, 'F' and 'G' (both pointing to tails) are not sufficient. The question might be expecting 'A' for the whole structure, but it says "2 answers". Re-examining, perhaps it wants the two layers or the two types of molecules. Given the context, the most logical interpretation is that the bilayer is made of phospholipids, so 'A' is the structure, but the components are the heads and tails. Since 'F' and 'G' point to the tails, and there's no specific letter for the heads, this might be a trick. Alternatively, perhaps 'A' is one answer, and the other is implied. But looking at the diagram, 'A' is the entire bilayer, so maybe the two answers are 'F' and 'G' for the tails, but that doesn't include the heads. I think the intended answer might be 'A' for the bilayer itself, but the question says "makes up the bilayer", which implies components. Perhaps the two answers are for the two layers of the bilayer, but they are identical. I will need to think about this. Maybe the two answers are 'F' and 'G', as they are both parts of the bilayer's structure.

5. Involved in cell-to-cell recognition: This is primarily the function of glycoproteins and glycolipids, which have carbohydrate chains attached. In the diagram, 'C' and 'E' point to the carbohydrate chains, which are involved in recognition.

6. Helps transport materials (such as glucose) across the cell membrane: This is the function of transport proteins, which are embedded in the membrane. In the diagram, 'B' is a large transport protein, and 'H' is another membrane protein that could be a channel or carrier.

Based on this analysis, I can now provide the final answers for all sections of the worksheet.

Final Answer

Here is the complete solution to the Cell Membrane Coloring worksheet:

Part 1: Color Code and Identify

Match the letters from the diagram to the correct names:
- A - Phospholipid bilayer (no color)
- B - Transport protein (pink)
- G - Fatty acid tails (orange)
- H - Membrane protein (red)
- I - Cholesterol (blue)
- E - Carbohydrate chain (green)

*(Note: Both F and G point to fatty acid tails, and both C and E point to carbohydrate chains. The above assignments use G and E as they are more central or direct pointers.)*

Part 2: Label the Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Portions

In the phospholipid bilayer diagram:
- The top box (pointing to the phosphate heads) should be labeled: Hydrophilic
- The bottom box (pointing to the fatty acid tails) should be labeled: Hydrophobic

Part 3: Match the Structure or Function

Match the function with the correct letter from the diagram:
- A - Attracts water (The phospholipid bilayer's heads are hydrophilic)
- F or G - Repels water (The fatty acid tails are hydrophobic)
- I - Helps maintain flexibility of membrane (Cholesterol regulates fluidity)
- A and F/G - Makes up the bilayer (2 answers) (The bilayer is composed of phospholipids, represented by A, and their tails, F/G. However, this is slightly ambiguous. A more precise answer would be that the bilayer is made of phospholipids, so 'A' is the structure, but the components are the heads and tails. Given the options, 'A' for the whole structure and 'F' or 'G' for the tails is acceptable, though not perfect. An alternative interpretation is that the two layers of the bilayer are made of phospholipids, so 'A' is the answer for both, but that doesn't fit "2 answers". The best fit based on common teaching is to say the bilayer is made of phospholipids, so 'A' is one answer, and the other is the tails 'G'.)
- C or E - Involved in cell-to-cell recognition (Carbohydrate chains on glycoproteins/glycolipids)
- B or H - Helps transport materials (such as glucose) across the cell membrane (Transport proteins)

*For the "Makes up the bilayer" question, the most accurate biological answer is that the bilayer is made of phospholipids, which have hydrophilic heads and hydrophobic tails. Since the diagram labels the entire structure as 'A' and the tails as 'F' and 'G', the two answers could be interpreted as 'A' (the structure) and 'G' (a component). However, in many educational contexts, this question might expect 'A' for the bilayer and then perhaps 'F' and 'G' for the tails, but since it asks for two answers, it's likely expecting 'A' and one of the tail letters. To be safe, I'll list 'A' and 'G' as the two answers.*