Plasma Membrane

Dr Mohammed Jeelani
Physiology Unit
Department of Basic Medical sciences
College of Medicine
University of Bisha
Date: Sept, 12, 2021

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Our
Objective
Specifi By the successful completion of this
presentation, you are expected to:
c
 Describe the structure of Plasma
Learni membrane
ng  Describe the properties of Plasma
Outco membrane
mes  Outline the functions of plasma
membranes

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 Plasma membrane
(Cell Membrane)
• Thin, pliable, elastic structure having thickness of
about 7.5 nm – 10 nm
• Semipermeable
• The membranes are dynamic structures, and their
constituents are being constantly renewed at
different rates

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 Cell Membrane
Fluid Mosaic Model - Singer & Nicolson

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 The approximate composition is
 Proteins - 55 per cent
 Phospholipids - 25 per cent
 Cholesterol - 13 per cent
 Other lipids - 4 per cent
 Carbohydrates - 3 per cent

• The major lipids are phospholipids such as

phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine.

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 The basic lipid bilayer is composed of
phospholipid molecules.

• Head end – contains phosphate portion, is positively charged

and quite soluble in water – (polar or hydrophilic). Polar
groups of lipid molecules have affinity for water and face the
aqueous phase.
• Tail end - quite insoluble in water (non-polar or
hydrophobic), contains 2 fatty acid chains. The hydrophobic
ends facing each other meet in the water-poor interior of the
membrane.

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 • The phosphate end of the phospholipid is
hydrophilic, and the fatty acid portion is
hydrophobic.
• Cholesterol controls much of the fluidity of the
membrane.

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 Types of proteins
I) based on function or content
A) lipoproteins – function as enzymes and ion channels
B) glycoproteins – function as receptors for hormones and NT

II) based on location

A) integral proteins that protrude all the way through the membrane
(transmembrane proteins) : channel, carrier, receptor, pump, antigen
B) peripheral proteins - are attached only to one surface of the
membrane and do not penetrate all the way through.
2 sub types :-
Intrinsic
Extrinsic

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 Functions
• Protection – protects cytoplasm, forms outermost boundary
of cell organelles
• Acts as semi permeable membrane
• Property of selective permeability –

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 • Absorption – nutrients are absorbed through cell membrane
• Digestive – takes in food and excretes waste products
• Exchange of gases – O2 enters and CO2 comes out of cell
• Shape and size – maintains shape and size of cell
• It links adjacent cells together by junctional complexes to
form tissues

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 Summary

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 References

Human biology / Sylvia S. Mader, Michael Windelspecht, Appalachian

State University. - Fourteenth edition. Page 50.

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THANK YOU