Fluid Mosaic Model

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The Fluid Mosaic Model The roles of components of the cell membrane and the effect of temperature on membrane structure and permeability The cell membrane in all cells separates a watery cytoplasm from the external environment, and it is made up of a number of different molecules, such as phospholipids, glycolipids, glycoproteins, etc. The basic structural component of plasma membranes is known as a phospholipid bilayer, and it consists of two layers of phospholipid molecules, with proteins embedded in it. Aside from separating cell contents from the environment, cell membranes also carry out cell recognition, cell signalling and regulating transport of materials in and out of cells. The two layers of phospholipids are arranged in such a way that the hydrophobic tails of both layers point into the membrane’s centre, and one layer of the phospholipids has it’s hydrophilic heads pointing inwards, whilst the other has them pointing outwards. These properties come from the way charges are distributed across the molecule. Thus, the role of the phospholipids is to make sure that water-soluble substances do not enter or leave the cell, and they allow lipid-soluble substances to enter or leave the cell. However, a simple phospholipid bilayer cannot perform all of the cell’s functions by itself; it is too fragile to function as a barrier within/around the cell, and other components are needed to help its function. The term ‘fluid mosaic’ is used to describe the arrangements in the membrane, and the main features are (aside from the bilayer of phospholipid molecules): * Protein molecules floating in the bilayer, either freely, or bound to other structures * Extrinsic proteins partially embedded in the bilayer on the inside or outside; other intrinsic proteins completely spanning the bilayer In addition, the cell surface membrane is impermeable to

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