Golden Line: Rationale: (Tell me why the authors put this diagram here. What do you think is its main purpose for being in our textbook?) Personal Connection: Question:

Biology: The Dynamic Science (MindTap Course List)
4th Edition
ISBN:9781305389892
Author:Peter J. Russell, Paul E. Hertz, Beverly McMillan
Publisher:Peter J. Russell, Paul E. Hertz, Beverly McMillan
Chapter5: Membranes And Transport
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1TYK: In the fluid mosaic model: plasma membrane proteins orient their hydrophilic sides toward the...
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Golden Line:
Rationale: (Tell me why the authors put this diagram here. What do you think is its main purpose for
being in our textbook?)
Personal Connection:
Question:

 

Fluid Mosaic Model
In 1972, S. J. Singer and Garth L. Nicolson proposed a new model of the plasma membrane that, compared to earlier
understanding, better explained both microscopic observations and the function of the plasma membrane. This was called
the fluid mosaic model. The model has evolved somewhat over time, but still best accounts for the structure and
functions of the plasma membrane as we now understand them. The fluid mosaic model describes the structure of the
plasma membrane as a mosaic of components including phospholipids, cholesterol, proteins, and carbohydrates-in
which the components are able to flow and change position, while maintaining the basic integrity of the membrane. Both
phospholipid molecules and embedded proteins are able to diffuse rapidly and laterally in the membrane. The fluidity of
the plasma membrane is necessary for the activities of certain enzymes and transport molecules within the membrane.
Plasma membranes range from 5-10 nm thick. As a comparison, human red blood cells, visible via light microscopy, are
approximately 8 μm thick, or approximately 1,000 times thicker than a plasma membrane. (Figure 3.18)
8000
Glycoprotein: protein with
carbohydrate attached
Peripheral membrane
protein
Glycolipid: lipid with
carbohydrate
attached
Integral membrane
protein
Phospholipid
bilayer
Cholesterol
Filaments of the cytoskeleton
Figure 3.18 The fluid mosaic model of the plasma membrane structure describes the plasma membrane as a fluid
combination of phospholipids, cholesterol, proteins, and carbohydrates.
Protein channel
Transcribed Image Text:Fluid Mosaic Model In 1972, S. J. Singer and Garth L. Nicolson proposed a new model of the plasma membrane that, compared to earlier understanding, better explained both microscopic observations and the function of the plasma membrane. This was called the fluid mosaic model. The model has evolved somewhat over time, but still best accounts for the structure and functions of the plasma membrane as we now understand them. The fluid mosaic model describes the structure of the plasma membrane as a mosaic of components including phospholipids, cholesterol, proteins, and carbohydrates-in which the components are able to flow and change position, while maintaining the basic integrity of the membrane. Both phospholipid molecules and embedded proteins are able to diffuse rapidly and laterally in the membrane. The fluidity of the plasma membrane is necessary for the activities of certain enzymes and transport molecules within the membrane. Plasma membranes range from 5-10 nm thick. As a comparison, human red blood cells, visible via light microscopy, are approximately 8 μm thick, or approximately 1,000 times thicker than a plasma membrane. (Figure 3.18) 8000 Glycoprotein: protein with carbohydrate attached Peripheral membrane protein Glycolipid: lipid with carbohydrate attached Integral membrane protein Phospholipid bilayer Cholesterol Filaments of the cytoskeleton Figure 3.18 The fluid mosaic model of the plasma membrane structure describes the plasma membrane as a fluid combination of phospholipids, cholesterol, proteins, and carbohydrates. Protein channel
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