Fluid mosaic model

Question 1

Why is the model of cell membrane referred to as fluid mosaic model?

Answer 1

“Mosaic” refers to mixture of lipids and intrinsic proteins
Boundaries are fluid so that components in it can be moving constantly

Question 2

2 types of proteins within the membrane

Answer 2

.Intrinsic proteins - embedded in the membrane from one side to the other, goes through the phospholipid bilayer

.Extrinsic proteins - found on one side of the membrane

Question 3

Why does intrinsic proteins pass through the phospholipid bilayer?

Answer 3

Intrinsic proteins have hydrophobic amino acids on its surface.
This means it can interact with the hydrophobic fatty acid tails in the phospholipid bilayer

Question 4

Types of intrinsic proteins

Answer 4

Carrier proteins
Channel proteins

Question 5

Why can some molecules not travel across membrane?

Answer 5

Can be either:
.Too large
.Not lipid-soluble
.Charged molecules can’t pass through non-polar fatty acid tails by simple diffusion

Question 6

Types of transport at carrier and channel proteins?

Answer 6

Carrier: Either active transport or passive diffusion, can change shape
Channel: Always passive

Question 7

What molecules get through carrier and channel proteins?

Answer 7

Carrier: -Large molecules -Ions
Channel: -Ions