- described as a fluid mosaic because of the “mosaic” of protein molecules embedded in a lipid bilayer. The mosaic is fluid as most of the proteins and lipid molecules drift in a lateral direction at the rate of about two microns/minute. Your professor graphically refers to proteins floating in a sea of lard!

- The membrane is stabilized by an extracellular matrix and by an intracellular cytoskeleton - lipid bilayer. It consists of hydrophobic tails sandwiched in between hydrophilic heads that point toward the cellular cytoplasm or toward the watery outer environment.

selective permeability

- describes the plasma membrane’s ability to allow certain molecules to pass through more easily than others. Some molecules are completely blocked. The plasma membrane is structured so as to promote selective permeability of substances:

Which of the following would increase membrane fluidity? a. having a greater proportion of unsaturated lipids in the lipid bilayer b. having a greater proportion of saturated lipids in the lipid bilayer c. a relatively high protein content in the membrane d. a relatively low cholesterol content in the membrane

- a. having a greater proportion of unsaturated lipids in the lipid bilayer

The fluid mosaic model proposes that the plasma membrane is

- a non-rigid bilayer of phosphorylated lipids with embedded proteins

Which of the following is not a role of the plasma membrane? a. The plasma membrane defines the boundaries of a cell. b. The plasma membrane regulates the passage of molecules into and out of the cell. c. The plasma membrane manufactures proteins. d. The plasma membrane functions in cell recognition.

c. The plasma membrane manufactures proteins

Proteins in the membrane

- can transverse the membrane completely or partially, or simply be bound to the exterior surface of the membrane

3.4.2 The Plasma Membrane: The Fluid-Mosaic Model Flashcards by Irina Soloshenko

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3.4.2 The Plasma Membrane: The Fluid-Mosaic Model Flashcards

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