16.

Plasma membrane

Synopsis:

Introduction

Definition

Components

Structure

Function

Conclusion

Introduction:

Also referred to as the cell membrane, plasma membrane is the membrane found in all cells,
which separate the inner part of the cell from the exterior. A cell wall is found to be attached to the
plasma membrane to its exterior in plant and bacterial cells. Plasma membrane is composed of a lipid
layer which is semipermeable. It is responsible to regulate the transportation of materials and the
movement of substances in and out of the cell.

In addition to containing a lipid layer sitting between the phospholipids maintaining fluidity at a
range of temperatures, the plasma membrane also has membrane proteins. This also includes integral
proteins passing through the membrane which act as membrane transporters and peripheral proteins
attaching to the sides of the cell membrane. It loosely serves as enzymes which shape the cell. Plasma
membrane is selectively permeable to organic molecules and ions, it regulates the movement of
particles in and out of organelles and cells.

Definition:

Plasma membrane refers to the membrane that surrounds the organelles of the cell, by creating a
barrier between cell organelles and external environment.

Components:

Itis composed of the following constituents:

Phospholipids – forms the ultimate fabric of the membrane

Peripheral proteins – present on the outer or inner surface of phospholipid bilayer but are not
implanted in the hydrophobic core

Cholesterol – folded between the hydrophobic tails of phospholipid membrane

Carbohydrates – found to be attached to the lipids or proteins on the extracellular side of the
membrane, leading to the formation of glycolipids and glycoproteins

Integral proteins – found to be implanted in the phospholipid bilayer.

Structure:

Plasma membrane is a fluid mosaic of proteins, lipids and carbohydrates.

It is composed of a phospholipid bilayer, which is two layers of phospholipids back-to-back.

Phospholipids are lipids with a phosphate group associated with them. The phospholipids have one head
and two tails where the head is polar and water-loving or hydrophilic. Tails on the other hand are
nonpolar and water fearing or hydrophobic.

Fluid Mosaic Model

Jonathan Singer and Garth Nicolson (1972) proposed fluid mosaic model.
It is made up of lipids and proteins together with a little amount of carbohydrate.
The lipid membrane is made up of phospholipid. The phospholipid molecule
has a hydrophobic tail and hydrophilic head. The hydrophobic tail repels water and
hydrophilic head attracts water. The proteins of the membrane are globular proteins which
are found intermingled between the lipid bilayer most of which are projecting beyond
the lipid bilayer. These proteins are called as integral proteins. Few are superficially
attached on either surface of the lipid bilayer which are called as peripheral proteins.
The proteins are involved in transport of molecules across the membranes and also
act as enzymes, receptors (or) antigens.

Carbohydrate molecules of cell membrane are short chain polysaccharides. These are either bound with
‘glycoproteins’ or ‘glycolipids’ and form a ‘glyocalyx’ (Figure 6.11).The movement of membrane lipids
from one side of the membrane to the other side by vertical movement is called flip flopping or flip flop
movement. This movement takes place more slowly than lateral diffusion of lipid molecule. The
Phospholipids can have flip flop movement because they have smaller polar regions, whereas the
proteins cannot flip flop because the polar region is extensive.

Functions:

Membranes and their components have the following functions:

1.nclosure and insulation of cells and organelles;

The enclosure provided by the plasma membrane protects cells from their environment both
mechanically and chemically.

The plasma membrane is essential for maintaining differences in the concentration of many substances
between the intracellular and extracellular compartments.

2.Regulated transport of substances;

This determines the internal milieu and is a precondition for homeostasis—i. e., the maintenance of
constant concentrations of substances and physiological parameters.

Regulated and selective transport of substances through pores, channels, and transporters is necessary
because the cells and organelles are enclosed by membrane systems.

3.Signal Transduction;

Reception of extracellular signals and transfer of these signals to the inside of the cell as well as the
production of signals.

4.Enzymatic catalysis of reactions:

Important enzymes are located in membranes at the interface between the lipid and aqueous phases.
This is where reactions with apolar substrates occur.

Examples include lipid biosynthesis and the metabolism of apolar xenobiotics. The most important
reactions in energy conversion—i. e., oxidative phosphorylation and photosynthesis also occur in
membranes.

5.Interactions with other cells:

For the purposes of cell fusion and tissue formation, as well as communication with the extracellular
matrix.

6.Anchoring of the cytoskeleton:

To maintain the shape of cells and organelles and to provide the basis for movement processes.

Conclusion:
 plasma membrane is the membrane found in all cells, which separate the inner part of the cell from the
exterior. A cell wall is found to be attached to the plasma membrane to its exterior in plant and bacterial
cells. Plasma membrane is composed of a lipid layer which is semipermeable. It is responsible to
regulate the transportation of materials and the movement of substances in and out of the cell.