Membrane structure

LO’s

• Describe the role of cellular membranes

• Describe the structure and function of different types of membrane lipids

• Explain the fluid mosaic model of the cell membrane

• Describe the process of membrane synthesis

Barrier- regulates transportation (nutrients in, waste out)

Interface- between a cell and its environment

Attachment- point for intracellular cytoskeleton, extracellular wall

Components of membranes

Lipids, phospholipids, sphingolipids, glycolipids, cholesterol

Membrane proteins

Phospholipid

• hydrophilic head

• hydrophobic tail

Fluid mosaic model

• Sheet like bilayer of lipids containing proteins

• Held together by non-covalent bonds

• Asymmetric in composition

• Fluid in structure; proteins and lipids can diffuse laterally