Fluid Mosaic Model of the Plasma Membrane - Phospholipid Bilayer
The Organic Chemistry Tutor・2 minutes read
The plasma membrane is made up of phospholipids with polar heads and nonpolar tails, forming a bilayer that composes the cellular membrane. Proteins like integral, peripheral, and surface proteins, along with carbohydrates and cholesterol, play critical roles in maintaining the fluidity and structure of the membrane.
Insights
- The plasma membrane of cells is primarily composed of phospholipids, which form a bilayer structure due to their polar head (hydrophilic) and nonpolar tails (hydrophobic), creating a barrier that controls what enters and exits the cell.
- The fluid mosaic model describes the cell membrane as a dynamic structure with integral, peripheral, and surface proteins along with glycoproteins and glycolipids. Cholesterol plays a crucial role in regulating membrane fluidity, maintaining stability in varying environmental conditions.
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Recent questions
What are the components of a phospholipid?
Phosphate group, glycerol, two fatty acid tails
What is the function of cholesterol in the cell membrane?
Maintain fluidity and prevent rigidity
How are proteins arranged in the cell membrane?
Integral, peripheral, and surface proteins
What is the structure of a phospholipid bilayer?
Polar heads facing outward, nonpolar tails inward
What is the role of carbohydrates in the cell membrane?
Glycoproteins and glycolipids for cell recognition