ANP 1105 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Lysis, Olive Oil, Glycocalyx
11 Jul 2014
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Document Summary
The plasma membrane separates the two body"s major fluid spots; intracellular fluid (inside cells) and extracellular fluid (outside cells). Fluid mosaic model represents the plasma membrane as a double layered with lipid and protein molecules in it. The proteins that float in the fluid lipid bilayer form a changing mosaic pattern. The lipid bilayer is made of phospholipids, with small amounts of cholesterol and glycolipids. Polar heads are attached to water, thus they lie on both inside and outside. Non-polar tails avoid the fluids and line up at the centre of the membrane. This orientation of phospholipids allows the membranes to reseal when torn. Plasma membrane"s consistency is like that of an olive oil. The lipid molecules move from side to side to prevent flip-flopping. Majority of phospholipids are unsaturated, which kinks their tails and increases space in between. Glycolipids are lipids with attached sugar groups on the outer plasma membrane surface.
