The Plasma Membrane

plasma membrane model name

fluid mosaic model

components / structure

phospholipids, integral and peripheral proteins (in bilayer), glycoproteins, glycolipids, cholesterol

structure and function of phospholipids

hydrophilic head, hydrophobic tail. Forms a bilayer.

control what enters and exits the cell

structure and function of integral proteins

cross the membrane

transport molecules in and out of cell

structure and example of peripheral proteins

found on one side of the membrane only

e.g. enzymes

structure and function of glycolipids

phospholipids attached to long carbohydrate chains

cell recognition, cell signalling and receptors

structure and function of glycoproteins

proteins attached to long carbohydrate chain

cell signalling, cell recognition and recepto

function of plasma membrane

• semi-permeable, so controls transport of molecules in and out of cells

• separates contents of cell from outside environment

• allows other cells to recognise the cell as belonging to the body

• allow cells to signal each other

• allows molecules (e.g. hormones) to bind to receptors in the membrane

• holds components of some chemical reactions in place (e.g. enzymes)

function of cholesterol

maintains stability of the cell

explain the role of the plasma membrane around the mitochondria

separate the contents of the mitochondria from the cytoplasm. Controls the movement of molecules in and out of the mitochondria