Question

Describe the components that make up the cell membrane, and explain why it is called the fluid mosaic model.

Answer 1

The fluid mosaic model describes the cell membrane as a dynamic layout of phospholipids, proteins, cholesterol, and carbohydrates, allowing for lateral movement and resulting in a fluid, flexible membrane.

Step-by-step explanation:

The fluid mosaic model describes the structure and components of the cell membrane. This model illustrates that the cell membrane is composed of a phospholipid bilayer with embedded proteins, cholesterol, and carbohydrates. The phospholipids have hydrophobic tails that face inward, shielding them from water, and hydrophilic heads that face outward. The proteins within the cell membrane can vary in function, from transport to cell signaling, and some are attached to carbohydrates, forming glycoproteins used in cell recognition.

The term fluid mosaic model is used because the lipid and protein molecules move laterally within the membrane, like boats on a dynamic sea, allowing the membrane to be fluid and flexible. The presence of unsaturated fatty acids (with double bonds) in the phospholipid tails, the inclusion of cholesterol within the membrane, and the variety of proteins and carbohydrates contribute to the membrane's fluidity and mosaic-like appearance.

Answer 2

The cell membrane also known as the plasma membrane refers to a biological membrane, which distinguishes the interior of a cell from its exterior surroundings. The main activity of the plasma membrane is to safeguard the cell from its surroundings.

The fluid mosaic model illustrates the composition of the plasma membrane as a mosaic of constituents, comprising cholesterol, phospholipids, carbohydrates, and proteins, which provides the membrane a fluid characteristic.

The fluid mosaic model demonstrates that membranes comprise of a phospholipid bilayer with different molecules of protein floating around within it. The fluid segment demonstrates that how some of the membrane parts can move around freely if they are not combined with other segments of the cell. While, the mosaic section demonstrates the patchwork of proteins, which is found in the phospholipid bilayer.