CHINHOYI UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

SCHOOL OF HEALTH SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGY

DEPARTMENT OF BIOTECHNOLOGY
NAME : TOGA BRANDON
REG NUMBER : C22151745G
PROGRAM : BIOTECHNOLOGY ( BSBIO )
MODULE : MICROBIOLOGY(CUBIO103)
LECTURER : MS. M CHIMHOWA
ASSIGNMENT : 2
Assignment 2
1. The cell membrane consists of membrane proteins which enables it to undergo its functions.
The cell membrane is composed of a lipid bilayer with transmembrane proteins such as globular
proteins that run through both layers of the lipid bilayer. The trans/integral proteins help in the
transportation of substances such as glucose in facilitated diffusion. The peripheral membrane
proteins usually found on either surface of the lipid bilayer help in cell signal transduction that is
function as receptors for peptide hormones. Membrane proteins act as junctions by linking
intercellular components of the cell to extracellular ones. Glycoproteins with carbohydrate
groups attached to them function as cell surface receptor sites. Glycoproteins keep cells moist
and allow adhesion of molecules to take place. Some interior proteins such as spectrins and
clathrins are situated structurally to support the plasma membrane. Some proteins are for
production of enzymes to perform metabolic reactions in the cell membrane. Peripheral
membrane proteins enable cell to cell recognition and also attachment of cytoskeleton and the
extracellular matrix. Integral proteins allow both active and passive transport to occur enabling
exchange of certain substances such as sodium ions across the plasma membrane.
2. The cell surface membrane has a unique structure which enables it to carry out its functions of
the cell. The membrane is called the Fluid Mosaic Model because it is always in constant motion
and fluid. The cell membrane has major components which include the phospholipid bilayer, the
transmembrane proteins, peripheral membrane proteins and the cell surface receptors also known
as surface markers. The peripheral membrane proteins are those attached to either surface of the
bilayer. The phospholipid bilayer covers a larger surface area because it contains 2 layers of non-
polar tails which point inward and the polar head which face the outside environment on the
membrane surface. The lipid bilayer has hydrophilic heads which are water loving due to their
polarity and hydrophobic tails (saturated or unsaturated) which are fat loving due to their long
hydrocarbon chains. Bilayer is fluid since the interaction of the lipids and the outer aqueous
surrounding keeps the lipids floating in the bilayer. The unsaturated hydrocarbon tails keep the
more fluid. Cell membrane has cholesterol mostly found on areas with lots of unsaturated fats
which helps in maintaining membrane fluidity by stabilizing the bilayer when it becomes less
fluid and permeable. The cell membrane is selectively permeable due to hydrophobic interior
hence regulates the entry and exit of molecules such as water, oxygen, and amino acids. The
lipid bilayer consists of globular proteins which help in selective transportation of substances
such as glucose through facilitated diffusion. The cell membrane contains channel proteins
which can change shape and spin which aid special movement of substances. Some proteins
function as enzymes in speeding up biochemical reactions. The cell surface membrane also
consists of carbohydrates chains sometimes found attached to proteins or lipids on the outside of
the membrane. These carbohydrates form the glycocalyx which function as protection and in cell
recognition as markers for a variety of cell-cell interactions.