Preliminary

Biology
Cells as the Basis of Life

Lesson 3:
The Fluid Mosaic Model

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LESSON 3: The Fluid Mosaic Model Preliminary Biology

Summary of Key Words

Account
Account for: state reasons for, report on. Give an account of: narrate a series of events or
transactions

Analyse
Identify components and the relationship between them; draw out and relate
implications

Apply
Use, utilise, employ in a particular situation

Assess
Make a judgement of value, quality, outcomes, results or size

Calculate
Ascertain/determine from given facts, figures or information

Clarify
Make clear or plain

Classify
Arrange or include in classes/categories

Compare
Show how things are similar or different

Construct
Make; build; put together items or arguments

Contrast
Show how things are different or opposite

Deduce
Draw conclusions

Define
State meaning and identify essential qualities

Demonstrate
Show by example

Describe
Provide characteristics and features

Discuss
Identify issues and provide points for and/or against

Distinguish
Recognise or note/indicate as being distinct or different from; to note differences
between

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LESSON 3: The Fluid Mosaic Model Preliminary Biology

Evaluate
Make a judgement based on criteria; determine the value of

Examine
Inquire into

Explain
Relate cause and effect; make the relationships between things evident; provide why
and/or how

Extract
Choose relevant and/or appropriate details

Extrapolate
Infer from what is known

Identify
Recognise and name

Interpret
Draw meaning from

Investigate
Plan, inquire into and draw conclusions about

Justify
Support an argument or conclusion

Outline
Sketch in general terms; indicate the main features of

Predict
Suggest what may happen based on available information

Propose
Put forward (for example a point of view, idea, argument, suggestion) for consideration
or action

Recall
Present remembered ideas, facts or experiences

Recommend
Provide reasons in favour

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LESSON 3: The Fluid Mosaic Model Preliminary Biology

Lesson Dotpoints

 Investigate a variety of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell structures, including but not
limited to:

 Modelling the structure and function of the fluid mosaic model of the cell
membrane

 ACSBL045

The cell membrane separates the cell from its surroundings and controls the exchange
of materials, including gases, nutrients and wastes, between the cell and its
environment

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LESSON 3: The Fluid Mosaic Model Preliminary Biology

1. The Fluid Mosaic Model

CHECKPOINT:

 The cell membrane separates the cell from its surroundings and controls the
exchange of materials, including gases, nutrients and wastes, between the cell and its
environment (ACSBL045)


Purpose of the Cell Membrane

 As we talked about in the first lesson, all cells have a cell membrane, whether
prokaryotic or eukaryotic.

 The cell membrane serves to_____________ the cell from undesirable external
conditions and controls the ______________________ into and out of the cell
(including wastes).

- Substance the cell requires or needs to remove come in many forms.

- Some are _________________ in water, like salt, others are _____________ such as
lipids and most proteins, and some are transported as gases, lie _____________
and ____________________.

 The cell membrane must also be _________________, to allow the cell to contract
and expand as the cell’s contents change.

- Cells that become too full often undergo __________ (meaning their
membrane ruptures) which leads to cell death.

 Below is a diagram of the current model of the membrane structure. This is

called the Fluid Mosaic Model and it accounts for the needs of the cell as
discussed above.

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LESSON 3: The Fluid Mosaic Model Preliminary Biology

Passive and Active Transport

 Before dealing with the structure of the membrane, it is important to have a

basic understanding of how molecules generally move through membranes in
an organism.

 The term _____________ transport describes any movement of molecules along a

_________________________________, that is, to an area of high concentration, to an
area of ___________ concentration.

- This can be seen when food dye is dropped into a beaker of water. The food
dye molecules move towards areas where they are in lower concentration
until the entire system reaches equilibrium.

- This process is called diffusion, and can include the use of carrier proteins
to facilitate the movement of ______________________ across a membrane.

- As long as no energy is required, the transport is ______________.

 The term active transport describes any movement of molecules ________________

a concentration gradient, meaning energy (ATP) is required.

- Often these molecules are quite large or complex and also require the
assistance of proteins to cross a membrane.

- ATP is the human energy unit.

The Fluid Mosaic Model Structure and Function

Phospholipid Bilayer

 This component is one of the most confusing for students, so be sure to review
this booklet before your examinations!

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LESSON 3: The Fluid Mosaic Model Preliminary Biology

 A phospholipid molecule consists of a _________________ head and a __________ tail

(or fatty acid).

- A typical phosphate molecule is dissolvable in water, or

_________________________ (water-loving).

- A typical fatty acid molecule is insoluble in water, or _______________________

(water fearing).

 This gives a unique characteristic to the phospholipid, making it

__________________!

- Amphipathic means the molecule is both hydrophilic and hydrophobic.

 Phospholipids therefore undergo ‘self-assembly,’ organising themselves into a

two-layered (bilayer) structure so that the hydrophilic phosphate heads face
out towards water and the lipid tails ‘hide’ away from the water.

- Label the phosphate heads and the fatty acid tails on the diagram above.

 A barrier around the cell is formed in this way, separating the two aquatic
environments and forming the basic cell membrane

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LESSON 3: The Fluid Mosaic Model Preliminary Biology

Chloesterol

 Cholesterol is a type of steroid, and is deeply involved with managing the

_______________ of the membrane.

 The molecule helps to keep the phospholipids spaced apart (within a specific
range), ensuring they are not too close together that no movement of
substances can occur, and not too far apart that the cell ________________.

 Cholesterol is embedded throughout the layers of the phospholipid structure,

as shown below.

 As you can imagine from the diagram, when viewed from above, scientists
would see a ‘mosaic’ of different structures and molecules, demonstrating why
the name is the fluid mosaic model.

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LESSON 3: The Fluid Mosaic Model Preliminary Biology

Proteins

 Many different types of proteins also form part of the cell membrane. Proteins
are key controllers of movement into and out of the cell.

 Proteins in the membrane can be one of two types (each of which has many
subdivisions)

- Proteins that extend across both layers of the membrane are called
________________ or _______________ proteins. These proteins ___________ the gap
between the external and internal environment and are most useful for
transporting molecules into and out of the cell.

- Proteins that don’t extend across the entire membrane are called
______________ or _______________ proteins and they help with transport and
communication within the cell.

 To solidify this idea, let’s look at the function of some integral proteins

- _______________________ facilitate the passive movement of larger molecules

- Carrier (transport) proteins assist in the active transport of molecules

across the membrane

- Receptor proteins receive _____________ signals from outside of the cell and
triggers some kind of response, achieving intracellular _______________________
in multicellular organisms.

Glycoproteins and Glycolipids

 Some of the components we’ve already talked about can be modified by the
addition of a _____________________ molecule to their surface.

 Glycolipids and glycoproteins (formed by the addition of a carbohydrate chain

to a lipid or protein in the membrane) are used as ________________ molecules,
binding with specific hormones which then affect the functioning of the cell.

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LESSON 3: The Fluid Mosaic Model Preliminary Biology

 Glycoproteins also serve as antigens which allow organisms to recognise their

own cells, and stop the immune system from attacking.

 Finally, all of the basic structural components of the membrane have been
discussed!

The Model of the Membrane

 The phospholipid bilayer is so thin it can barely even be seen by an electron

microscope, even 100,000x magnification shows merely a double line around
7 nm wide.

 Since we cannot properly see a cell membrane, we create a model using the
________________________ and essential functions of the membrane.

 This model was only proposed in 1972, making it a relatively recent discovery.

 The fluidity of the membrane comes from the ability of the _____________________
to ‘flow’ in a 2-dimensional manner, and the changes in __________________
between each phospholipid, allowing the membrane to expand and contract.

 This model allows small, uncharged particles to move by passive transport

through the membrane while preventing charged or large particles from
passing. Those molecules must have a special pathway, such as by the use of
transport proteins.

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LESSON 3: The Fluid Mosaic Model Preliminary Biology

Applications 1.1

Question 1

Question 2

Question 3

Question 4

Which structure of the membrane helps to keep it fluid? Explain.

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LESSON 3: The Fluid Mosaic Model Preliminary Biology

Question 5

Label the following diagram.

Question 6

Fill in the following table.

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LESSON 3: The Fluid Mosaic Model Preliminary Biology

2. Modelling the Fluid Mosaic Model

CHECKPOINT:

 Investigate a variety of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell structures, including but

not limited to:
 Modelling the structure and function of the fluid mosaic model of the cell
membrane

Prokaryotic vs Eukaryotic!

 It is important now to check back on the Biology dotpoint, to ensure you can
answer any question in your exam.

 While you have learnt in detail the structure and function of the Fluid Mosaic
Model, no distinctions between the plasma membrane of a prokaryotic and a
eukaryotic cell have been made!

 Recall that eukaryotic cells have very advanced structural features and often
form multicellular organisms while prokaryotes are less advanced and are
generally only unicellular or colonial organisms.

- Hypothesise some advanced features of the membrane we discussed today

that may not be present in a prokaryotic membrane.

 Eukaryotic membranes consist of over 6 different types of phospholipids,

allowing the most advanced and structurally sound membrane to be formed.
Prokaryotes in contrast, have only a few types of phospholipids.

 Cholesterol is also not often present in prokaryotic membranes. Cholesterol in

eukaryotes is used to regulate the fluidity of the membrane.

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LESSON 3: The Fluid Mosaic Model Preliminary Biology

Modelling the Structure and Function

 Why do scientists use models?

- To represent something too large or too small to be observed. RECALL:

even an electron microscope struggles to visualise the cell membrane.

- To explain something complex in a simple manner.

- To make predictions of expected results.

 Cut out the images on the following page to create your own model of the
membrane structure. Glue or sticky-tape these pieces onto a blank page and
label the structures, involved.

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LESSON 3: The Fluid Mosaic Model Preliminary Biology

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LESSON 3: The Fluid Mosaic Model Preliminary Biology

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LESSON 3: The Fluid Mosaic Model Preliminary Biology

Applications 1.2

Question 1

Which statement best describes how cholesterol affects cell membrane fluidity?

a) Cholesterol decreases fluidity at high temperatures and decreases fluidity at

low temperatures.
b) Cholesterol decreases fluidity at high temperatures and increases fluidity at
low temperatures.
c) Cholesterol increases fluidity at high temperatures and increases fluidity at
low temperatures.
d) Cholesterol increases fluidity at high temperatures and decreases fluidity at
low temperatures.

Question 2

Compared to a typical animal cell, the cell membranes on the paw of a polar bear
would most likely have an increased concentration of which macromolecule?

a) Saturated phospholipids
b) Potassium channel proteins
c) Unsaturated phospholipids
d) Aquaporin proteins

Question 3

Which of these statements about the structure of membranes is true?

a) Made primarily of cholesterol molecules

b) Glycoproteins on the cell surface are necessary for immune recognition
c) Lipid rafts were predicted by early models of cell membrane structure
d) All of the above

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LESSON 3: The Fluid Mosaic Model Preliminary Biology

Question 4

Describe four important features of the fluid mosaic model of membrane

structure. (4 marks)

Question 4

Describe the structure and properties of phospholipids and explain the importance
of phospholipids in the plasma membrane. (4 marks)

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LESSON 3: The Fluid Mosaic Model Preliminary Biology

Question 5

What is the function of cholesterol in cell membranes? (2 marks)

Question 6

The membrane of an animal cell would be impermeable to all of the following

EXCEPT:

I. a large and primarily polar protein

II. a small lipid based molecule
III. starch

a) I only
b) II only
c) III only
d) I and II only
e) I and III only

Question 7

Name the structure describe by each of the following statements:

a) Contains both polar and non-polar regions

b) Allows information to pass through the membrane without actually allowing

substances to penetrate the membrane

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LESSON 3: The Fluid Mosaic Model Preliminary Biology

c) Responsible for cell-to-cell recognition

Question 8

What does the fluid part of fluid-mosaic model mean?

a) Phospholipids move laterally (side to side)

b) Phospholipids move longitudinally (up and down)
c) Proteins are embedded in the phospholipid bilayer
d) Carbohydrates are embedded in the phospholipid bilayer

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