BIOL 151 Chapter 5.1, 3.4, 3.2: Jennings Biology 151 - Molecules and Membranes (Membranes, Proteins, and Carbohydrates)

• School: VCU
• Department: Biology
• Course: BIOL 151
• Professor: Jennings

Document Summary

Main points: the fluid mosaic model was proposed by s. j. Singer and garth l. nicolson in 1972: plasma membranes are usually 5 to 10 nm in thickness, human red blood cells tend to be 1,000 times wider than a plasma membrane. Main points: in water, hydrophobic molecules tend to forma a ball/cluster; tend to be nonpolar, the hydrophilic parts of form bonds with water and other polar molecules on both the inside and outside of the cell. Main points: peripheral and integral proteins can serve as enzymes as structural attachments for the fibers of the cytoskeleton, they can also be used as cell recognition sites since they can attack foreign invaders that may involve pathogens. Main points: when saturated fatty acids are pressed during decreasing temperatures, they make a rigid membrane, when unsaturated fatty acids are pressed, there is space between phospholipid molecules which allows for fluidity in the membrane.