Plasma Membrane The Big Picture

Plasma Membrane
Cellular structure that surrounds the cell, controlling the movement of substances in and out of
the cell. Are around 10nm in size
The big picture

 The structure of cell membrane makes them fluid, flexible and dynamic, allowing
processes such as exocytosis and endocytosis to take place.
 They are fluid because of the phospholipids which can move
 Cell membrane play a huge role in homeostasis as it responsible for the exchange of
substances between the external and the internal environments of the cell
The fluid mosaic model
The model that is most accepted regarding the cell membrane to date is the fluid mosaic
model. It was proposed by Singer and Nicholson in 1972
This model depicts the cell membrane consisting of a phospholipid bilayer with proteins
embedded inside it.
Phospholipid: a type of lipid that is formed with 2 fatty acids connected to a glycerol molecule
and a phosphate group. Is amphipathic as it has hydrophilic and hydrophobic parts
Phospholipid bilayer is two layers of phospholipids. The phosphate heads are hydrophilic
because of their charge, while fatty acids, which are non-polar, are hydrophobic
Phosphate heads face the internal and external watery environment: Polar attracts water
Fatty acids are stuck in between: Non-Polar Repels water
Membrane Proteins
Are a group of proteins with diverse structure that form part of cell membranes. These proteins
help the cell membrane carry out its main function of transporting nutrients and signal inside
and outside the cell.
Can be integral or peripheral depending on their position in the cell membrane:
Integral Proteins: are amphipathic and embedded in the plasma membrane, passing completely
through it.
Peripheral proteins: Are polar (hydrophilic) and are attached to the outside of the cell
membrane
Types of functions of proteins:

a. Channels: have a pore/channel that allows the passive transport (no energy
required) of substances between the inside and outside of the cell.
b. Carriers: Carrier proteins change the shapes of substance in one side and then
transport to the other side. also known as protein pumps when energy is used to
change shape
c. Recognition: certain proteins help the cell in differentiating between self and
non-self-cells (important in triggering an immune response). -is a glycoprotein
d. Receptors: these proteins usually span the whole membrane to receive or pass
information from the inside or outside of the cell.
e. Enzymes: these are proteins that increase the rate of reactions that happen at
the membrane level.
Other Parts of the cell membrane

Glycolipids: are a phospholipid and a carbohydrate attached together. Help maintaining the
structure of the cell membrane and in cells differentiating between self and non-self-cells.
Glycoproteins: are proteins which contain carbohydrate chains attached. Help make immune
responses
Cholesterol
Cholesterol is an amphipathic steroid and is only found in animal cell membranes. It is vital in
helping to maintain the fluidity and permeability of the cell membrane.
It is made of a polar hydroxyl group, a four ringed structure, and a non-polar hydrocarbon
group
The presence of cholesterol will restrain the movement of phospholipid and other molecules
(such as sodium and hydrogen), reducing fluidity and permeability.
at low temperature, the cholesterol prevents the membrane form solidifying, staying fluid and
functioning properly at high temperatures It reduces membrane fluidity
The Davson-Danielli membrane model
This model was proposed in 1935, but submitted in 1954, states that a cell membrane is made
up of a lipid bilayer sandwiched by two protein layers on both sides of the membrane.
The initial advancements in electron microscopies supported this model as it showed 3 layers. 2
dark lines which were the proteins and 1 clear part in between which was the phospholipid
bilayer
However, there are still major flaws in this model:
1. Proteins are amphipathic, very hydrophobic, which is very strange as the proteins would
we in contact with the watery environment.
2. It also assumed that all membranes were the same, not considering different
membranes carry out different functions
In 1972, the fluid mosaic model took over this one as it addressed the short comings of the
Davson Danieli Model.
To prove this model was accurate different labelling techniques took place like the freeze
fracture technique, where scientists separated the middle of the membranes, and observed
with electron microscopes. They saw irregular shapes in the bilayer(proteins)
Also, chemical tests removed the proteins, making the bilayer smooth.
MRI Diffractions also showed that proteins move, which is only possible in the fluid mosaic
model

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Plasma Membrane

The big picture

 They are fluid because of the phospholipids which can move

Can be integral or peripheral depending on their position in the cell membrane:

Types of functions of proteins:

Other Parts of the cell membrane

However, there are still major flaws in this model:

we in contact with the watery environment.

membranes carry out different functions

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