Cell Membrane: Vital Role in Physiological Functions - Research Paper

Introduction

The close interactions between microorganisms and their surrounding environs require constant sensing and response to the environmental changes, most of which takes place at the outer membrane surface of the cell. The cell membrane plays a vital role in a myriad of physiological functions in the body which include ATP synthesis, electron and solute transport, and intercellular signaling (Huffer, Clark, M., Ning, Blanch & Clark, D.). It is designed to withstand any turgor pressure to protect the body cells from bursting. The cell membrane confers protection and tolerance for the cell under various environmental stresses among which is alcohol toxicity (Patra, et al.). The topic has in the recent times reemerged in light to renew the interest in alternative transportation fuels in form of cellulosic biofuels due to the recent occurrences, i.e., the fake alcohol that is used in the drinks of teenagers and the incident in the Dominican Republic a year ago where five American tourists died because of the dangerous type of alcohol that was put in their drink. Therefore, what are the effects of the different types of alcohols on the membrane and the body?

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Types of Alcohol

There exist various types of alcohols and their effects on the membrane vary accordingly. Among the alcohols being examined include:

Isopropyl alcohol which is a colorless liquid that is a major component of rubbing alcohol and regularly used in household items that include disinfectants, cleaners, hand sanitizers and pharmaceuticals (Co & Gunnerson).

N-Butyl alcohol is aliphatic alcohol that has a rancid sweet odor, and liquid at room temperature. The alcohol is highly applied in the textiles and plastics sector and is used as an industrial intermediate when converted to acetate and other butyl esters that serve as monomers or solvents in the production of artificial leathers, safety glass, textiles, rubber cement, raincoats, perfumes and photographic films among others ("Toxnet.gov").

Ethanol, also referred to as ethyl alcohol, is the intoxicating ingredient in many alcoholic beverages such as beer, distilled spirits, and wine. It is produced by the fermentation of sugars, yeast, and starches.

Methanol, also known as methyl alcohol, is the simplest of the long series of organic compounds referred to as alcohol. It is produced from the direct combination of carbon monoxide gas and hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst. The alcohol is vital for chemical synthesis.

Panthenol alcohol is a chemical substance that is made from pantothenic acid and occurs organically. It can also be produced from both plant and animal sources and is used as an additive in various cosmetic products across the globe ("Healthline").

The Membrane, and its Functions

The membrane is a thin layer that acts as a boundary of a living cell. Biological membranes have the three main functions of keeping toxic substances out of the cell, controlling the movement of specific molecules, i.e., ions, wastes, nutrients, and metabolic wastes between the cell and the outside environment, and separating the vital but incompatible metabolic processes that are conducted within the organelles.

Effects of Alcohols on the Membrane

Alcohols, especially ethanol, fluidizes the membrane to result in uncontrolled transport of solutes across it. This decreases the proton flux across the membrane, resulting in leakages of vital cofactors such as Mg2+ (Huffer, Clark, M., Ning, Blanch & Clark, D.). The various movements within the membranes are, therefore, influenced by the acute effects of ethanol that gives rise to more fluid membranes. This disturbs the lipid milieu where the proteins are embedded, giving rise to a more fluid membrane. As a result, the fluid regions become more affected than the rigid ones. Ethanol also inactivates the membrane and cytosolic enzymes, i.e., glycolytic and ATPase enzymes, which decreases the growth of the cell (Huffer, Clark, M., Ning, Blanch & Clark, D.). Butanol is another biofuel that is even more toxic compared to ethanol. Its increased toxicity is attributed to the longer carbon chain that further intercalates into the membrane, thereby breaking the hydrogen bonds between the lipid tails (Huffer, Clark, M., Ning, Blanch & Clark, D.). There is a biological efficacy of alcohols of various chain lengths, i.e., in comparison to their numbers of carbon atoms (Ingolfsson & Andersen). However, there is an assumption that the compromised cell membrane is mainly responsible for the decline in the cell viability and growth rate when it is exposed to alcohol.

Conclusion

To conclude, the membrane plays a vital role in controlling the vital functions in the body that include electron and solute transport, intercellular signaling, and ATP synthesis among others. However, the consumption of alcohol results in various effects on the membrane. There exist various types of alcohol, which include Isopropyl, n-Butyl, ethanol, panthenol, and methanol among others. Ethanol is the most consumed alcohol and is taken in form of beer, wines, and distilled spirits. The consumption of these alcohols alters the functioning of the membrane by fluidizing the membrane resulting in uncontrolled supply of solutes and inactivating the membrane and its cytosolic enzymes. Some alcohols, i.e., butanol are more dangerous than others like ethanol because of their longer carbon chains that increase their potency and intercalate into the membrane to break the hydrogen bonds between the lipid tails.

Works Cited

Co, Ivan, and Gunnerson, Kyle. "Isopropyl Alcohol - An Overview | Sciencedirect Topics." Sciencedirect.com, 2019. Accessible at www.sciencedirect.com/topics/biochemistry-genetics-and-molecular-biology/isopropyl-alcohol

"Healthline." Why is Panthenol used in cosmetics? Healthline.com, 2019. Accessible at www.healthline.com/health/panthenol

Huffer, Sarah, Clark, Melinda, Ning, Jonathan, Blanch, Harvey, and Clark, Douglas. Role of alcohol in growth, lipid composition, and membrane fluidity of yeasts, bacteria, and archaea. Aem.asm.org, 2019. Accessible at www.aem.asm.org/content/77/18/6400

Ingolfsson, Helgi I., and Olaf S. Andersen. "Alcohol's Effects On Lipid Bilayer Properties." Biophysical Journal 101.4 (2011): Accessible at www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3175087/

Patra, Michael, Salonen, Emppu, Terama, Emma, Vattualainen, Lipo... Karttunen, Mikko. Under the influence of alcohol: The effect of ethanol and methanol on lipid bilayers. Biophysical Journal, 2006. Accessible at www.cell.com/action/showPdf?pii=S0006-3495%2806%2972304-9

"Toxnet."N-Butanol alcohol: Human health effects. Toxnet.nlm.nih.gov, 2019. Accessible at www.toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/search/a?dbs+hsdb:@term+@DOCNO+48