PLASMA MEMBRANE

(fluid mosaic model)

The components of the plasma membrane

Component Location

Phospholipids Main fabric of the membrane

Cholesterol Tucked between the hydrophobic tails of the membrane phospholipids

Integral proteins Embedded in the phospholipid bilayer; may or may not extend through both layers

Peripheral On the inner or outer surface of the phospholipid bilayer, but not embedded in its
proteins hydrophobic core

Attached to proteins or lipids on the extracellular side of the membrane (forming

Carbohydrates glycoproteins and glycolipids)

KEY TERMS: Phospholipid bilayer

Compiled by : GUTIERREZ, Bernadeth F. Page 1
 > Phospholipid- long polar hydrocarbon What is the importance of cell fluidity?
fat tail made of carbon and hydrogen
bonded with a polar head (made of P
and O2)

Polar head = Hydrophilic

Tail= Hydrophobic

Why is the polar head facing the

aqueous environment of the
cell?
How are Phospholipid
arranged?

Fluid mosaic model

Why is it called a fluid mosaic model?
Transport Proteins- transporting
especially large and charged molecules
in and out of the cell
Carbohydrates (chains of simple
sugar)major point of intercellular
communication
Cholesterol- helps to minimize the
effects of temperature on fluidity.

Compiled by : GUTIERREZ, Bernadeth F. Page 2