Final answer:
Membranes are thought to be made through a process called membrane biogenesis. There are several models to explain how membranes are formed: de novo, from pools of proteins and lipids, from pre-existing membranes, or as newly made proteins and lipids are inserted into ER membranes.
Step-by-step explanation:
Membranes are thought to be made through a process called membrane biogenesis. There are several models to explain how membranes are formed:
- Membranes are made de novo: This means that membranes are made from scratch, without the use of pre-existing membranes. This model suggests that membranes are assembled through the spontaneous self-assembly of lipids and proteins.
- Membranes are made as new entities from pools of proteins and lipids: According to this model, membranes are made by combining proteins and lipids from the cellular pool.
- Membranes arise from pre-existing membranes: This model proposes that membranes are formed by budding or vesicle fusion from pre-existing membranes.
- Membranes arise as newly made proteins and lipids are inserted into the ER membranes: This model suggests that membranes are formed when newly synthesized proteins and lipids are inserted into the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membranes.