BIOCHEMICAL COMPOSITION

AND FUNCTION OF CELL

MEMBRANE
Muhammad Adil Abid
Mohammadadilabid1996@gmail.com

04/14/2023 lecture 2 cell membrane

 ANCHORING QUESTIONS
• What is cell membrane?
• What is it made of?
• What is the structure of cell membrane?
• What is the importance/ function of cell membrane?

04/14/2023 lecture 2 cell membrane

 INTRODUCTION
• Protective sheath, enveloping the cell body
• Boundaries that defines the inside and the outside of a cell.
• Prevents leaking of substances from one side to the other side by
diffusion. (ECF to ICF & vice versa)
• They also contain transport systems for exchange of specific
substances
• selective permeability.
• AKA; plasmalemma & plasma membrane.
• 75 to 111Å thick in diameter.
04/14/2023 lecture 2 cell membrane
 STRUCTURAL MODEL OF THE CELL
MEMBRANE
• Three models were presented;
• Sandwich model (1935)
• Unit membrane model (1957)
• Fluid mosaic model (1972)

04/14/2023 lecture 2 cell membrane

 DANIELLI-DAVSON MODEL
• 1953.
• first proposed basic model of membrane structure.
• Proposed by James F Danielli and Hugh Davson.
• Accepted by scientists for many years.
• ‘sandwich of lipids’ covered
by proteins on both sides.
• A solid model.
• Lipid sandwiched B/E proteins.

04/14/2023 lecture 2 cell membrane

 UNIT MEMBRANE MODEL
• 1957.
• by JD Robertson
• Based on electron
microscopic studies.
• Units of sandwich
• Solid model.

04/14/2023 lecture 2 cell membrane

 FLUID MOSAIC MODEL
• 1972.
• Sj singer and gl nicholson.
• Membrane is a fluid with mosaic of proteins.
• Accepted till now.
• Proteins float in the lipid layer instead of forming the layers of the
sandwich-type model.

04/14/2023 lecture 2 cell membrane

 COMPOSITION OF CELL MEMBRANE
• Cell membrane is composed
Of three types of substances:
• 1. Proteins (55%)
• 2. Lipids (40%)
• 3. Carbohydrates (5%).

04/14/2023 lecture 2 cell membrane

 LIPID LAYERS OF THE CELL
MEMBRANE
• Central lipid layer is a bilayered
• Fluid in nature
• Major lipids are:
• 1. Phospholipids
• 2. Cholesterol.

04/14/2023 lecture 2 cell membrane

 PHOSPHOLIPIDS
• Arranged in two layers.
• Soft and oily structures
• Phospholipid molecule the headed pin in shape.
• Outer part is head portion (hydrophilic) and inner portion tail
portion(hydrophobic), resembles the headed pin in shape.
• Arranged such that hydrophobic tail portions meet in the center, .
hydrophilic head portions of outer layer face the ecf and those of the
inner layer face icf

04/14/2023 lecture 2 cell membrane

 CHOLESTEROL
• Arranged in between the phospholipids
• Helps to ‘pack’ the phospholipids in the membrane.
• Responsible for the structural integrity of lipid layer.

04/14/2023 lecture 2 cell membrane

FUNCTIONS OF LIPID LAYER IN CELL
MEMBRANE
• Semipermeablity.;
• Hydrophobic, can pass;
• Oxygen
• Carbon dioxide
• Alcohol.
• Hydrophilic, cant pass;
• Glucose
• Urea
• Electrolytes.

04/14/2023 lecture 2 cell membrane

 PROTEIN LAYERS OF THE CELL
MEMBRANE
• Electron-dense layers.
• Cover the two surfaces of the central lipid layer.
• Gives protection to the lipid layer.
• Protein molecules are classified into two categories:
• 1. Integral proteins or trans-membrane proteins.
• 2. Peripheral proteins or peripheral membrane proteins.

04/14/2023 lecture 2 cell membrane

 INTEGRAL PROTEINS
• Passes through entire thickness of cell membrane from one side to
the other side.
• Examples;
• Cell adhesion proteins
• Cell junction proteins
• Some carrier (transport) proteins
• Channel proteins
• Some hormone receptors
• Antigens
• Some enzymes

04/14/2023 lecture 2 cell membrane

 PERIPHERAL PROTEINS
• Partially embedded in the outer and/or inner surfaces of the cell
membrane and do no
• Examples;
• Proteins of cytoskeleton
• Some carrier (transport) proteins
• Some enzymes.

04/14/2023 lecture 2 cell membrane

 FUNCTIONS OF PROTEINS IN CELL
MEMBRANE
• Integral proteins provide structural integrity.
• Channel proteins help in the diffusion of watersoluble substances like
glucose and electrolytes.
• Carrier or transport proteins helps in active or passive transport.
• Carrier proteins acts as pumps.
• Receptor
• Enzymes
• Antigens
• Cell adhesion
04/14/2023 lecture 2 cell membrane
 CARBOHYDRATES OF THE CELL
MEMBRANE
• Glycoproteins (proteoglycans)
• Glycolipids.
• Glycocalyx.

04/14/2023 lecture 2 cell membrane

 FUNCTIONS OF CARBOHYDRATES IN
CELL MEMBRANCE
• Does not permit flow of negatively charged substances.
• Tight fixation of cells (glycocalyx).
• Receptors

04/14/2023 lecture 2 cell membrane

 FUNCTIONS OF CELL MEMBRANE
• Protective function.
• Selective permeability.
• Absorptive function.
• Excretory function.
• Exchange of gases.
• Maintenance of shape and size of the cell

04/14/2023 lecture 2 cell membrane

 ANY
QUESTIONS

0310-9426099
MOHAMMADADILABID1996@GMAIL.COM
04/14/2023 lecture 2 cell membrane
 Thank you for listning patiently

04/14/2023 lecture 2 cell membrane