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Related Concept Videos

Membrane Fluidity01:23

Membrane Fluidity

Cell membranes are composed of phospholipids, proteins, and carbohydrates loosely attached to one another through chemical interactions. Molecules are generally able to move about in the plane of the membrane, giving the membrane its flexible nature called fluidity. Two other features of the membrane contribute to membrane fluidity: the chemical structure of the phospholipids and the presence of cholesterol in the membrane.
Stomach pH Regulation01:21

Stomach pH Regulation

The human body carefully regulates the internal pH of different organs to maintain homeostasis. For example, while the blood plasma maintains a neutral pH of 7, the stomach lumen has an acidic pH of 1.5 - 3.5. The low pH of stomach lumen helps kill pathogens in the food and break down complex food molecules.
The acid-secreting gastric mucosal epithelial cells (parietal cells) lining the stomach lumen maintain the low pH in the lumen. Numerous ion transporters and channels on these parietal...
Enlargement of the Plasma Membrane01:22

Enlargement of the Plasma Membrane

Cell division and enlargement are processes that require precise control. The control ensures that cell division cannot proceed unless the cell has grown to a specific size. A spherical, dividing cell requires an approximately 1.6X increase in its surface area to double its volume. The secretory pathway also has a significant role in cell membrane enlargement. Secretory vesicles that bud off from the Golgi apparatus and later fuse with the plasma membrane during exocytosis are a major source of...
pH Regulation in Cells01:28

pH Regulation in Cells

pH plays a critical role in maintaining normal cellular activities. It helps maintain the structure and function of various proteins, dictates the charge on cellular membranes, and is crucial for metabolic reactions inside the cell. Moreover, cells use the energy from the proton motive force to generate ATP.
Cytosolic pH
Under physiological conditions, the cytosolic pH is slightly more acidic than the extracellular pH. However, cells must prevent further acidification of their cytosol to...
Acid-Base Balance01:25

Acid-Base Balance

The human body maintains a narrow pH range regulated through acid-base balance. This balance is crucial as changes in the hydrogen ion concentration can disrupt cell membrane stability, alter protein structures, and change enzyme activities. The normal pH of arterial blood is 7.4, venous blood and interstitial fluid is 7.35, and intracellular fluid averages 7.0.
When the pH of arterial blood rises above 7.45, it results in a condition called alkalosis. Conversely, a drop below 7.35 leads to...
Plasma Membrane in Bacteria and Archaea01:27

Plasma Membrane in Bacteria and Archaea

The plasma membrane is an essential cellular structure responsible for maintaining cellular integrity and regulating the selective transport of molecules. While bacteria and archaea share the fundamental function of plasma membranes, their structural and molecular differences reflect adaptations to distinct ecological and physiological challenges.Bacterial Plasma MembranesBacterial plasma membranes are predominantly composed of phospholipids with fatty acid chains ester-linked to a glycerol...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 11, 2026

Functional Characterization of Na+/H+ Exchangers of Intracellular Compartments Using Proton-killing Selection to Express Them at the Plasma Membrane
07:38

Functional Characterization of Na+/H+ Exchangers of Intracellular Compartments Using Proton-killing Selection to Express Them at the Plasma Membrane

Published on: March 30, 2015

Acidification on the plasma membrane.

Ewan MacDonald1, Ludger Johannes2, Christian Wunder2

  • 1Montpellier Cell Biology Research Center, CRBM, Université 40 Montpellier, CNRS, Montpellier, France.

Current Opinion in Cell Biology
|May 16, 2025
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Maintaining cellular pH balance is vital for cell functions. New methods allow real-time pH monitoring, revealing its critical role in cell cycle, signaling, and tissue processes.

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High-throughput Measurement of Plasma Membrane Resealing Efficiency in Mammalian Cells

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Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 11, 2026

Functional Characterization of Na+/H+ Exchangers of Intracellular Compartments Using Proton-killing Selection to Express Them at the Plasma Membrane
07:38

Functional Characterization of Na+/H+ Exchangers of Intracellular Compartments Using Proton-killing Selection to Express Them at the Plasma Membrane

Published on: March 30, 2015

Measuring Phagosome pH by Ratiometric Fluorescence Microscopy
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Published on: December 7, 2015

High-throughput Measurement of Plasma Membrane Resealing Efficiency in Mammalian Cells
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High-throughput Measurement of Plasma Membrane Resealing Efficiency in Mammalian Cells

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Area of Science:

  • Cellular Biology
  • Physiology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Cellular pH homeostasis is essential for numerous biological processes.
  • Advances in pH sensing technologies enable real-time monitoring in live systems.
  • Understanding pH dynamics is key to deciphering cellular functions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the significance of pH in cellular and tissue physiology.
  • To highlight the impact of pH on diverse cellular mechanisms.
  • To discuss the implications of pH regulation in health and disease.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current pH quantification techniques (organic dyes, fluorescent proteins, DNA probes).
  • Discussion of pH-dependent cellular processes.
  • Analysis of extracellular pH modulation by growth factors.

Main Results:

  • Real-time pH monitoring (4-9 range) in live cells and tissues is now achievable.
  • pH influences cell cycle, transcription, senescence, neurotransmission, endocytosis, tissue remodeling, immune responses, and GPCR signaling.
  • Extracellular acidification by growth factors activates membrane enzymes involved in cell migration and bone resorption.

Conclusions:

  • pH is a fundamental regulator of cellular and tissue functions.
  • Continued research into pH's role promises significant discoveries in physiology and medicine.
  • Precise pH control is critical for maintaining cellular health and organismal homeostasis.