ANP 1105 Chapter Notes -Fluid Mosaic Model, Lipid Bilayer, Extracellular Fluid
15 Oct 2013
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Document Summary
The plasma membrane, also called the cell membrane separates the intracellular fluid within the cell and the extracellular fluids outside the cell. Structure of plasma membrane fluid mosaic model. Thin structure composed of a double layer of lipid molecules with protein molecules dispersed in it. Called the fluid mosaic model because membrane proteins float about in the membrane lipid bilayer. Lipid bilayer is composed largely of phospholipids, some glycolipids and cholesterol and areas called lipid rafts. Phospholipid: has a phosphate group on two long chain lipids. The polar head is charged and hydrophilic while the nonpolar tail is hydrophobic and uncharged. Glycolipids: lipids that are attached to sugar groups. Cholesterol: formed between hydrophilic tails, stabilize the membrane, decrease mobility of the phospholipids and the fluidity of the membrane. Too much cholesterol causes membranes to lose its flexibility. Membrane proteins: allows to communicate with the environment. Integral proteins: firmly inserted into the lipid bilayer.
