CELL MEMBRANE Phospholipid Bilayer

• The phosphate group is negatively

charged, making the head polar and
hydrophilic—or “water loving.”
• A hydrophilic molecule is one that is
attracted to water.
• The phosphate heads are thus attracted to
the water molecules of both the
extracellular and intracellular
environments.
• The lipid tails, on the other hand, are
uncharged, or nonpolar, and are
hydrophobic—or “water fearing.”
• A hydrophobic molecule (or region of a
molecule) repels and is repelled by water.
• Phospholipids are thus amphipathic
molecules (hydrophilic & hydrophobic
regions).
 PHOSPHOLIPID BILAYER –
ARRANGEMENT
The cell membrane is exposed to water mixed with electrolytes and other materials
on the outside and the inside of the cell.
When cellular membranes form, phospholipids assemble into two layers because of
these hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties.
The phosphate heads in each layer face the aqueous or watery environment on
either side, and the tails hide away from the water between the layers of heads,
because they are hydrophobic.
 WHAT’S THE CELL
MEMBRANE MADE UP OF?
The cell membrane is primarily made up of three things:
1. Phospholipids
2. Cholesterol
3. Proteins
 MEMBRANE PROTEINS
Two different types of proteins that are commonly associated with the
cell membrane are the integral protein and peripheral protein.
As its name suggests, an integral protein is a protein that is embedded
in the membrane.
oMany different types of integral proteins exist, each with different functions.
oFor example, an integral protein that extends an opening through the membrane for ions to enter or
exit the cell is known as a channel protein.

Peripheral proteins are typically found on the inner or outer surface of

the lipid bilayer but can also be attached to the internal or external
surface of an integral protein.
 MEMBRANE PROTEINS
Some integral proteins serve as cell recognition or surface identity proteins, which
mark a cell’s identity so that it can be recognized by other cells.
Some integral proteins act as enzymes, or in cell adhesion, between neighboring cells.
A receptor is a type of recognition protein that can selectively bind a specific
molecule outside the cell, and this binding induces a chemical reaction within the cell.
Some integral proteins serve dual roles as both a receptor and an ion channel.
Protein carriers – active transport.
They also make pores/channels which can open and shut to allow molecules in and
out. These channels are called gated channels.
Peripheral proteins are often associated with integral proteins along the inner cell
membrane where they play a role in cell signaling or anchoring to internal cellular
components
 GLYCOPROTEINS
Some integral membrane proteins are glycoproteins.
A glycoprotein is a protein that has carbohydrate molecules attached,
which extend into the extracellular environment.
The attached carbohydrate tags on glycoproteins aid in cell recognition.
 CHOLESTEROL
The cholesterol molecules are randomly distributed across the
phospholipid bilayer, helping the bilayer stay fluid in different
environmental conditions. The cholesterol holds the phospholipids
together so that they don’t separate too far, letting unwanted
substances in, or compact too tightly, restricting movement across
the membrane. Without cholesterol, the phospholipids in your cells
will start to get closer together when exposed to cold, making it
more difficult for small molecules, like gases to squeeze in between
the phospholipids like they normally do. Without cholesterol, the
phospholipids start to separate from each other, leaving large gaps.
FLUIDITY OF THE CELL MEMBRANE –
If you were to zoom in on the cell membrane, you would see a pattern of different
types of molecules put together, also known as a mosaic. These molecules are
constantly moving in two dimensions, in a fluid fashion, similar to icebergs floating
in the ocean. The movement of the mosaic of molecules makes it impossible to
form a completely impenetrable barrier.
 FLUIDITY OF THE CELL MEMBRANE –
There are 3 main factors that influence cell membrane fluidity:
1.Temperature: The temperature will affect how the phospholipids move
and how close together they are found. When it’s cold they are found
closer together and when it’s hot they move farther apart.
2.Cholesterol
3.Saturated and unsaturated fatty acids: Fatty acids are what make up the
phospholipid tails. Saturated fatty acids are chains of carbon atoms that
have only single bonds between them. As a result, the chains are straight
and easy to pack tightly. Unsaturated fats are chains of carbon atoms that
have double bonds between some of the carbons. The double bonds
create kinks in the chains, making it harder for the chains to pack tightly.
These kinks play a role in membrane fluidity because they increase the
space between the phospholipids, making the molecules harder to freeze
at lower temperatures. In addition, the increased space allows certain
small molecules, such as CO_22​start subscript, 2, end subscript and O_22​
start subscript, 2, end subscript, to cross the membrane quickly and easily.