Plasma Membrane and Fluid Mosaic Model

Vocabulary flashcards covering the structure, composition, and fluidity of the plasma membrane based on the provided lecture notes.

Plasma Membrane

A structure composed primarily of phospholipids that separates the internal cell environment from the external environment.

Amphipathic

Having both hydrophilic and hydrophobic regions, a property characteristic of phospholipids.

Polar Hydrophilic Heads

Phosphate regions of phospholipids that are oriented towards aqueous environments.

Nonpolar Hydrophobic Tails

Fatty acid regions of phospholipids that face inwards, away from aqueous environments.

Selective Permeability

A property of the cell membrane caused by its hydrophobic interior.

Fluid Mosaic Model

A model describing the structure of cell membranes as fluid, dynamic, and comprised of many macromolecules.

Unsaturated Hydrocarbon Tails

Fatty acid tails containing kinks that prevent tight packing of phospholipids, helping maintain membrane fluidity at low temperatures.

Cholesterol

A lipid that helps maintain membrane fluidity at high and low temperatures by reducing movement at high temperatures and preventing tight packing of phospholipids at low temperatures.