Cell Membrane Structure

1. Describe the fluid mosaic model of membrane structure with reference

to the hydrophobic and hydrophilic interactions that account for the
formation of the phospholipid bilayer and the arrangement of proteins.

2. Describe the arrangement of cholesterol, glycolipids and glycoproteins in

cell surface membranes.

3. Describe the roles of phospholipids, cholesterol, glycolipids, proteins and

glycoproteins in cell surface membranes, with reference to stability,
fluidity, permeability, transport (carrier proteins and channel proteins),
cell signalling (cell surface receptors) and cell recognition (cell surface
antigens.
 Structure of Membranes
• main component : phospholipids (see coursebook Fig. 4.2)
• amphiphilic

Phospholipid bilayer

• Other components: proteins, cholesterol, carbohydrate

 Fluid Mosaic Model
Fluid : phospholipids and proteins move about by diffusion within
the bilayer
 Fluid Mosaic Model
Mosaic : scattered pattern of proteins on the surface of the
membrane

scattered pattern
of proteins
Fluid Mosaic Model
 WHY membranes need to be fluid?

Diffusion of substances across the membrane

Fusion of membranes (e.g. exocytosis, endocytosis)

Cell movement (macrophages during phagocytosis)

 What factors affect membrane fluidity?
1. Membranes rich in unsaturated fatty acids are more fluid than those
rich in saturated fatty acids

2. The shorter the fatty acid tail, the more fluid the membrane. (ORA)
 What factors affect membrane fluidity?
3. Temperature

4. The steroid cholesterol has different

effects on membrane fluidity at different
temperatures
• A “temperature buffer”
• At warm temperatures, cholesterol
restrains movement of phospholipids
• At cool temperatures, it maintains
fluidity by preventing tight packing /
solidification
• Mechanical stability of membranes
 Glycolipids and Glycoproteins

Glycocalyx – short chains of carbohydrates

linked to proteins or phospholipid

Phospholipid bilayer (with cholesterol and

integral proteins embedded)

cytoskeleton

• Receptor molecules for cell signalling / cell to cell communication (recognise hormones/
neurotransmitters)
• Cell adhesion (by hydrogen bonding)
• Cell markers / self-antigens for cell to cell recognition (for growth ; ability to recognize self
from non-self / foreign)
 Applying the concept of cell markers/ antigen

• WBCs/ macrophages will

recognize the pathogens
(disease-causing
bacteria/ parasites) as
non-self/foreign. Engulf
and destroy them.

• But will recognise body

cells as “self” and not
attack them.
 Proteins in Cell Membranes & Their Roles

1. Integral proteins are embedded

completely or partly through the
phospholipid bilayer
- Can act as transport proteins of polar
molecules
✓channel protein
✓carrier protein

2. Peripheral proteins are attached on

the inner or outer surface
✓Enzymes
✓Attached to cytoskeletal filaments to
hold the cell shape or for movement
WRAP UP