Fluid Mosaic Model of Cell Membrane

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What is the primary function of the plasma membrane in maintaining homeostasis?

It provides structural support for the cell.
It mediates the interaction between the cell and its environment.
It allows for the exchange of genetic information between cells.
It helps regulate the concentration of solutes within the cell. (correct)

According to the fluid mosaic model, what is the characteristic of the cell membrane that allows it to move with the cell?

Its fluid and flexible nature (correct)
Its rigid structure
Its capacity to store genetic information
Its ability to synthesize proteins

What is the term used to describe the internal environment of the cell?

Endoplasmic reticulum
Cytoskeleton
Mitochondria
Cytoplasm (correct)

Who described the fluid mosaic model of the cell membrane in 1972?

S.J. Singer and Garth L. Nicolson (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the phosphate group in a phospholipid molecule?

To create a negatively charged head (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main component of the cell membrane that provides structural support?

Phospholipids (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of cholesterol in the cell membrane?

To regulate fluidity in the membrane (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of proteins in the cell membrane?

To facilitate cellular communication (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used to describe the external environment of the cell?

Extracellular space (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of proteins that span the membrane as transmembrane proteins?

To regulate the movement of large molecules (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the fluid mosaic model of the cell membrane compared to?

A dynamic, fluid mosaic (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of carbohydrates in the cell membrane?

To aid in cell-to-cell adhesion (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the property of the cell membrane that allows certain molecules to pass through while restricting others?

Selective permeability (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for molecules that contain both hydrophobic and hydrophilic parts?

Amphipathic (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of proteins that serve as pumps in the cell membrane?

To spend energy to move molecules (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the phospholipid arrangement in the cell membrane?

Phospholipid bilayer (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of phospholipids in the cell membrane?

To form a tight barrier to regulate permeability of the membrane (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which component of the cell membrane is responsible for regulating membrane fluidity?

Cholesterol (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the ability of the cell membrane to regulate what enters and exits the cell?

Selective permeability (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which component of the cell membrane is amphipathic?

Phospholipids (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main component of the cell membrane?

Phospholipids (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of proteins embedded in the cell membrane?

To regulate cellular communication, cell adhesion, transport and more (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the model that describes the fluid and flexible nature of the cell membrane?

The fluid mosaic model (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of carbohydrates attached to proteins and lipids outside the cell?

To regulate cell adhesion and recognition (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the analogy used to describe the components of the cell membrane?

A mosaic (B) Signup and view all the answers