What is the primary function of cholesterol in the plasma membrane When an atom is chemically inert what does that mean? When starch is digested the resulting end products are? what is the function of the stratum corneum

Question:

What is the primary function of cholesterol in the plasma membrane

Answer

Cholesterol functions as a plasma membrane buffer, which prevents lower temperatures from inhibiting its fluidity, and prevents the high temperatures from increasing membrane fluidity. It extends in both directions the range of temperature that is optimum for membrane fluidity to conserve its functions

Explanation

The plasma membrane protects the cell by controlling substances that enter or leave the cytoplasm. The plasma membrane is made up of lipids, proteins, and carbohydrates all of which plays an important role in giving the plasma membrane its fluid character.

Question:

When an atom is chemically inert what does that mean?

Answer

When an atom is chemically inert, it means that the atom cannot be involved in a chemical reaction hence unreactive. Atoms react with each other because of the valence electrons located on the outermost energy level. These electrons defines the chemical properties of an atom. If the atom has a complete octet configuration, it cannot share, donate or gain electrons hence chemically inert.

Explanation

The term chemically inert has been in use for several decades to refer to the group 18 elements in the period table, which are called noble gases. This is because they have a complete octet configuration preventing the atom from gaining or donating electrons.

Question:

When starch is digested the resulting end products are?

Answer

The end products of starch digestion are maltose, maltotriose, and a-dextrins, and some glucose.

Explanation

Starch digestion begins in the mouth with the action of salivary amylase. This enzyme hydrolyzes starch into maltose, maltotriose, and alpha dextrins. After these products are formed, the final step involves conversion to monosacchrides, initiated by maltase, sucrase-isomaltase, and lactase enzymes. The final three monosacchrides derived are fructose, galactose and glucose.

Question:

what is the function of the stratum corneum

Answer

The stratum corneum is made up of hard specialized skin cells which protects the inner layers of the skin against dehydration, bacteria, and toxins. When keratinocytes are pushed to stratum corneum, they form a brick-like barrier that provides a more durable cell envelope.

Explanation

The skin epidermis is made up of five layers namely stratum basale, stratum spinosum, stratum granulosum, stratum lucidum, and stratum corneum. The main function of stratum corneum is to form a barrier between the body and the environment. It contains series of layers of specialized skin cells which shed continually protecting the inner skin layers.

1. The primary function of cholesterol in the plasma membrane is to maintain the fluidity and stability of the membrane. Cholesterol molecules are embedded within the lipid bilayer of the membrane and help to prevent the fatty acid tails of the phospholipids from sticking together too closely. This helps to maintain the fluidity of the membrane, allowing it to change shape and move as needed. Additionally, cholesterol can help to stabilize the membrane at high or low temperatures, making it more resistant to damage.
2. When an atom is chemically inert, it means that it does not readily react with other atoms to form chemical bonds. This is because the outermost shell of electrons, called the valence shell, is completely filled with electrons. Since the valence shell is stable, the atom does not need to gain or lose any electrons to become stable, and thus it is unlikely to form chemical bonds with other atoms.
3. When starch is digested, the resulting end products are glucose molecules. Starch is a complex carbohydrate made up of many glucose molecules linked together. During digestion, enzymes in the digestive system break down the starch into its individual glucose units, which can then be absorbed into the bloodstream and used for energy by the body.
4. The stratum corneum is the outermost layer of the epidermis, which is the outer layer of the skin. The primary function of the stratum corneum is to provide a barrier between the body and the external environment, protecting the body from physical and chemical damage, as well as preventing the loss of water and other important substances from the skin. The stratum corneum is composed of layers of flattened, dead skin cells that are embedded in a matrix of lipids, which help to maintain the barrier function of the skin.