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Do all membranes have the same composition of lipids and proteins? Why or why not?

A) Yes, they all have the same composition.
B) No, the composition varies depending on the membrane's function.
C) Membranes only consist of lipids, not proteins.
D) Membrane composition is determined by temperature.

1 Answer

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Final answer:

No, membranes do not have the same composition of lipids and proteins; their composition varies depending on the membrane's function and the cell type. The cell membrane includes a phospholipid bilayer, proteins, and carbohydrates, which are proportionally different across various cell types and membranes to fulfill specific roles.

Step-by-step explanation:

The composition of membranes varies because each membrane has a unique set of functions to perform. The main components of a plasma membrane include lipids (phospholipids and cholesterol), proteins, and carbohydrates. Phospholipids form a bilayer, creating a barrier that is selectively permeable to ions and molecules. Proteins within the membrane either span the entire bilayer as integral proteins or attach loosely to its surface as peripheral proteins, playing multiple roles such as transport, signaling, and maintaining structure.

The proportion of these components can vary significantly among different cell membranes, depending on the specific functions they need to perform. For example, the plasma membrane of red blood cells includes about 30 percent lipid, while the mitochondrial inner membrane contains 76 percent protein and the myelin sheath of nerve cells is particularly lipid-rich.

Not all membranes contain the same amounts of phospholipids and some may have specific types depending on the function they serve. Also, a membrane's fluidity can change with the amount of cholesterol present, which adjusts to temperature variations, acting as antifreeze in the membrane of animals that live in cold climates.

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