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Questions and Answers
What components primarily make up the hydrophobic tails of phospholipids?
What is the primary role of cholesterol in the cell membrane?
Which statement correctly describes integral membrane proteins?
What is one of the functions of membrane proteins?
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What describes the arrangement of phospholipids in the cell membrane?
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Which type of carbohydrate is commonly found in cell membranes and assists in signal recognition?
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What happens to cholesterol when temperatures increase in the membrane?
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In the fluid mosaic model, what term describes the movement of molecules within the membrane?
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Study Notes
The Fluid Mosaic Model
- Proposed by S. Jonathan Singer and Garth Nicolson in 1972.
- Describes the arrangement and movement of lipids and proteins in the cell membrane.
- Lipids are hydrophobic due to their hydrocarbon composition.
- Phospholipid molecules have a hydrophilic phosphate head and hydrophobic fatty acid tails.
- Phospholipid bilayer: heads face outward toward water, tails face inward away from water.
Fatty Acids
- Unsaturated fatty acids contain double bonds, creating kinks.
- Saturated fatty acids consist of single bonds and have a linear structure.
- Cholesterol helps maintain membrane fluidity by occupying kinks of unsaturated fatty acids, especially during temperature fluctuations.
Membrane Proteins
- Integral Membrane Proteins: Span the bilayer, interacting with both hydrophilic and hydrophobic regions.
- Peripheral Membrane Proteins: Positioned on the membrane surface and do not penetrate the bilayer.
Functions of Membrane Proteins
- Signal transmission between cells.
- Enzymatic activity to facilitate biochemical reactions.
- Cell-to-cell recognition for immune response and tissue formation.
- Attachment to cells and other molecules for structural support.
- Transport functions to move substances across the membrane.
Carbohydrates in Membranes
- Serve as sources of energy, including sugars, starch, and glycogen.
- Found in the cell membrane as components of glycoproteins, where carbohydrates are attached to proteins for cell recognition and signaling.
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Description
Test your knowledge on the fluid mosaic model of cell membranes, proposed by S. Jonathan Singer and Garth Nicolson in 1972. This quiz covers the properties, functions, and structural characteristics of the plasma membrane. Perfect for students studying cell biology or biochemistry.
