Question

Explain the structure of the plasma membrane as proposed by Singer and Nicolson $\left(1972\right)$, with a diagram

Answer 1

The fluid mosaic model was first proposed by S. J. Singer and G. L. Nicolson in 1972 to describe the structure of cell membranes (Singer and Nicolson 1972). In this now-accepted theory about cell structure, phospholipid molecules, each with one hydrophobic, and one hydrophilic end make up most of the membrane. The hydrophilic heads form the inner and outer surfaces the membrane and the hydrophobic tails, which are repelled by the water within and outside the cell, are sandwiched in between (see figure right). This is known as the phospholipid bilayer (or simply lipid bilayer).