Subject: Cell and Molecular Biology

Assignment No. 1

Topic: Detail note on cell membrane (Models, Structures and Functions)

Plasma Membrane:

The Plasma membrane of a cell is a network of lipids and proteins that forms the boundary between
cells content and the outside of the cell.

It is also simply called the cell membrane. It is semi permeable and regulates the materials that enter
and exit the cell. The cells of all living things have plasma membrane.

Cell Membrane Models:

The physical organizations and functioning of all biological membrane depends on their constituent’s
lipids, proteins and carbohydrates. The lipids establish the physical integrity of the membrane and
create an effective barrier to the rapid passage of hydrophilic materials such as water and ions. In
addition phospholipids by layer serve as a lipid “ lake” in which a variety of proteins “Float”. This general
design is known as the fluid mosaic model. The fluid mosaic model was first proposed by S.J.Singer and
Garth L.Nicoloson in 1972 to explain the structure of the plasma membrane.

Outside the cell a fluid mosaic model carbohydrates are attached to the outer surface of protein forming
(GyloProtein) or lipids (GlycoLipids).

Some proteins adhere one cell to another.

Inside the cell peripheral membrane proteins don’t penetrate the bi layer at all. Cholesterol molecules
enter persed among phospholipids tails in the bi layer influence the fluidity of fatty acids in the
membrane.

Some integral membrane proteins cross the entire phospholipids bi layer. Others penetrate only
partially into the bi layer.

Structure of the cell membrane:

All biological membranes have similar structures but membranes from different cells or organelles may
differ greatly in their lipids compositions.

PhosoLipids differ in terms of fatty acids chain, lengths, degree on unsaturated (Double bond) in the
fatty acids and the polar (Phosphate containing) groups present

In addition to phospholipids membrane may contain cholesterol a different type of lipids. In some
membrane, 25 percent of the lipids is Cholesterol but other membrane have no Cholesterol at all.
Typically plasma membrane has one protein molecule for every 25 Phospholipids molecules. Many
membrane proteins are embedded in or extend across the lipid bi layer like phospholipids. These
proteins have both hydro Phallic and Hydrophobic regions. In addition to this general type of membrane
proteins are present.

 Integral membrane proteins: have hydro phobic regions and penetrate the phospholipids bi
layer
 Peripheral membrane proteins: lack hydrophobic regions and are not embedded in the bi layer

Integral membrane proteins that protrude on both side of the membrane known as trans membrane
proteins. In addition to lipids and proteins many membrane contain significant amount of carbohydrate.
The carbohydrate are located on the outer surface of the membrane and serve as recognition sites for
other cells and molecules.

 Glycolipids: Consist of carbohydrates covalently bound to a lipid

 GlycoProteins: Consist of carbohydrates covalently bound to a proteins

Functions of a cell membrane:

1. Protection: Plasma membrane protects the inner contents of cell

2. Support and rigidity: Provides support and rigidity to the cell
3. Maintain shape of cell:
4. Signaling enzymatic activity
5. Cytoskeleton contact:
6. Surface recognition:
7. Gap junction are as means of communication
8. Endocytosse and exocytose
9. Diffusion within the cell and tissues
10. Nutrient uptake
11. Also as information processing, energy transformation, organizing chemical reactions
12. Selective permeability
Active Transport
Passive Transport