1.2.5 Cell membrane structure

Question 1

What is the basic structure of the cell membrane?

Answer 1

The basic structure of a cell membrane is the phospholipid bilayer

Question 2

What make a phospholipid hydrophilic?

Answer 2

The phosphate head is polar, attracting H2O molecules

Question 3

What part of the phospholipid is hydrophobic?

Answer 3

The fatty acid tails are hydrophobic

Question 4

What three structures may the phospholipids form?

Answer 4

• A monolayer;- Spherical micells; or- A bilayer

Question 5

Why is the bilayer structure favoured by the phospholipids?

Answer 5

The bilayer is favoured due to the fatty acid tails being too bulky to form a spherical micells

Question 6

What is the fluid mosaic model made up of?

Answer 6

• Proteins
• Cholesterol
• Glycoproteins
• Glycolipids
• Phospholipid bilayer

Question 7

What is a glycoprotein?

Answer 7

A protein molecule with a polysaccharide attached

Question 8

What is a glycolipid?

Answer 8

A lipid molecule with a polysaccharide attached

Question 9

What is evidence for the fluid mosaic model being true?

Answer 9

Scientists fused a mouse and human cell, and the proteins completely mixed