


The proportions of the lipids, proteins, and carbohydrates present in the plasma membrane may vary depending on the different types of cells. It is attached to the proteins to form glycoproteins, or to the lipids to form glycolipids. Membrane proteins can extend the way inside the plasma membrane, where these proteins can cross the membrane entirely or can be attached loosely to its inner or outer face.Ĭarbohydrate groups are found only on the outer surface of the plasma membrane. It is found along the sides of the phospholipid layer in the core of the membrane. The cholesterol layer is another lipid layer that is composed of four fused carbon rings. This type of arrangement is called a phospholipid bilayer. Biological membranes usually consist of two layers of phospholipids where their tails point inward. The lipids include phospholipids and cholesterol.Ī phospholipid is a kind of lipid that is made of glycerol, it has two fatty acid tails and a head group linked to the phosphate. The cell membrane is composed of lipids, proteins, and carbohydrate groups that get attached to some of the lipids and proteins. The membrane will simply part to flow around the needle and once the needle is removed, it gets back to the flow together seamlessly. Interestingly this fluidity can be explained as if you insert or prick the membrane with a very fine needle. These components are found to be moving freely and fluidly in the plane of the membrane. The model was found to be evolved over time, but it can still provide a good basic description for the structure of the membranes in many of the cells.Īccording to the structure of the fluid mosaic model, the plasma membrane looks like a mosaic that has primary components as phospholipids, cholesterol, and proteins. The accepted and currently used model for representing the structure of the plasma membrane is called the fluid mosaic model. How these membranes work together to make a sensitive, flexible, and secure boundary around the cell. The cell membrane function, the diversity of the membranes. Here, we’ll have a closer look at the different components of the plasma membrane. In addition to this, they are able to communicate with other cells, by identifying the other cells and sharing the relevant information. Cells should be able to exclude or take in or excrete certain substances in a specific amount. While discussing the structure of the cell membrane it is important to know what cell membrane is made up of? The cell membrane or plasma membrane not only helps to differentiate the borders of the cell but also allows the cell to interact with its surrounding environment in a controlled and disciplined way. Its main function is to separate the interior and exterior of the cell.

Each and every cell present in the body is enclosed by a bubble-like structure called a cell membrane. The cell is considered a structural and functional unit of life.
