fluid mosaic model Flashcards
what is meant by ‘fluid’?two
phospholipids and proteins move via diffusion, phospholipids move within layers
what is meant by ‘mosaic’?
proteins are scattered within the bilayer
describe the structure of a phospholipid
phosphate = circle
glycerol = small circle inside
two fatty acids
what is a saturated fatty acid?
no double bonds free
what is an unsaturated fatty acid?
double bonds free
which part of a phospholipid is hydrophobic?
fatty acid tails
which part of a phospholipid is hydrophilic?
phosphate head
how do phospholipids act as a barrier?
polar molecules cannot dissolve
why do the phosphate heads interact with water?
cells have aqueous internal environments
what is cholesterol?
a lipid positioned between phospholipid tails
state the 2 properties of cholesterol
- regulates fluidity = stops molecules grouping too closely
- maintains mechanical stability = hydrophilic and hydrophobic regions interact
what is a glycolipid?
lipid with carbohydrate tail
what is the role of glycolipids?
cell recognition
- has cell markers and antigens
what is a glycoprotein?
intrinsic protein with carbohydrate tail
what is the role of glycoproteins?
cell recognition and signalling
- specific shape and receptor site
- matches molecules and attaches them
