What are the fundamental constituents of the cell membrane, Biology

Assignment Help:

Q. What are the fundamental constituents of the cell membrane?

The cell membrane is formed of lipids, carbohydrates and proteins.

The membrane lipids are phospholipids, a special kind of lipid to which one extremity a phosphate group is bound thus assigning electrical charge to this region of the molecule Since phospholipids have one electrically charged extremity and a long neutral organic chain they can organize themselves in two layers of associated molecules the hydrophilic portion (polar) of each layer faces outwards in contact with water (a polar molecule too) of the extracellular and the intracellular space and the hydrophobic chains (non polar) face inwards isolated from the water. Because this type of membrane is made of two phospolipid layers it is also known as a bilipid membrane.

Membrane proteins are embed and dispersed in the compact bilipid structure. Carbohydrates appear in the outer surface of the membrane associated to some of those proteins under the form of bound to phospholipids forming glycolipids or glycoproteins. The membrane carbohydrates form the glycocalix of the membrane.

This description (with further explanations) is known as the fluid mosaic model as regards the structure of the cell membrane.


Related Discussions:- What are the fundamental constituents of the cell membrane

Stratification - aquatic ecosystems, Stratification - Aquatic ecosystems ...

Stratification - Aquatic ecosystems Aquatic ecosystems also exhibit marked stratification. In lake and ocean ecosystems light penetration, temperature and availability of oxyg

Explain the autonomic neuropathy, Explain the Autonomic neuropathy It l...

Explain the Autonomic neuropathy It leads to dry skin due to decreased sweating. Dryness of the skin leads to cracking which makes entry of infection in to the deeper plane eas

Define multiple tube fermentation test, Define Most Probable Number Test (M...

Define Most Probable Number Test (Multiple Tube Fermentation Test)? Presence of coliforms in the water sample can be detected by performing multiple tube fermentation test whic

Genetics, Considering a pair of homologous chromosomes containing a gene ha...

Considering a pair of homologous chromosomes containing a gene having two different alleles how many different genotypes can the individual present?

What are the nutritional components of the foods we consume, What are the n...

What are the nutritional components of the foods we consume? The foods that we consume are composed of varying quantities of the following nutritionally important components:

Calculate the number molecules of glucose, During a routine annual physical...

During a routine annual physical, a patient was checked to determine the amount of glucose in the blood. After the assay, It was found that the glucose that the glucose concentrati

What is the spontaneous generation hypothesis, What is the spontaneous gene...

What is the spontaneous generation hypothesis? The impulsive generation abiogenesis or hypothesys asserts that life on earth has come from nonliving material. For instance, t

Paleomon., coxa of paleomon contain specialised organ called

coxa of paleomon contain specialised organ called

Ventilation of gills, Ventilation of Gills Various mechanical devices ...

Ventilation of Gills Various mechanical devices are used to increase the flow of water over the gill's surface. There can be two means of increasing the flow of water over the

Alluvial-transported soil, Alluvial Materials of this catego~ya re depo...

Alluvial Materials of this catego~ya re deposited by running water in the form offroodplains, river terraces, deltas and alluvial fans. These deposits have two outstanding char

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd