The way a cell's membrane is built plays a big role in how drugs get delivered into cells. Here are some important points to know:
Lipid Bilayer: This is a layer that doesn’t like water. It acts like a shield. Drugs that dissolve in fats can get through it easier than those that dissolve in water. Water-soluble drugs might need help from special proteins to get inside.
Membrane Proteins: These proteins can help move drugs into the cell. For example, carrier proteins, like those for glucose, can make it easier for some medicines to enter the cell.
Fluidity: The membrane has a flexible quality, and cholesterol helps with this. This flexibility allows fat-soluble drugs to mix in and get through the membrane more easily.
When we understand these parts of the cell membrane, we can improve how we create and use medicines!
The way a cell's membrane is built plays a big role in how drugs get delivered into cells. Here are some important points to know:
Lipid Bilayer: This is a layer that doesn’t like water. It acts like a shield. Drugs that dissolve in fats can get through it easier than those that dissolve in water. Water-soluble drugs might need help from special proteins to get inside.
Membrane Proteins: These proteins can help move drugs into the cell. For example, carrier proteins, like those for glucose, can make it easier for some medicines to enter the cell.
Fluidity: The membrane has a flexible quality, and cholesterol helps with this. This flexibility allows fat-soluble drugs to mix in and get through the membrane more easily.
When we understand these parts of the cell membrane, we can improve how we create and use medicines!