Question 27
Give the biochemical composition of plasma membrane. How are lipid molecules arranged in the membrane?
Question 27
Give the biochemical composition of plasma membrane. How are lipid molecules arranged in the membrane?
Chemical composition of plasma membrane
ComponentCompositionLipids(20−79%)Proteins(20−70%)Carbohydrates(1−5%)Water(20%)
lipids are the major components of the cell membrane as they form the continous structural frame of the cell membrane. Lipids such as phospholipids, glycolipids, and steroids are found in membranes.
The lipid molecule possess both polar hydrophilic (water loving) and non-polar hydrophobic (water repelling) ends. The hydrophilic region is in the form of a head, while the hydrophobic part contains two tails of fatty acid.
hydrophobic tail is present towards the centre of the membrane. This structures results is the formation of lipid bilayer known as unit membrane/biological membrane/cell membrane.
Chemical composition of plasma membrane
ComponentCompositionLipids(20−79%)Proteins(20−70%)Carbohydrates(1−5%)Water(20%)
lipids are the major components of the cell membrane as they form the continous structural frame of the cell membrane. Lipids such as phospholipids, glycolipids, and steroids are found in membranes.
The lipid molecule possess both polar hydrophilic (water loving) and non-polar hydrophobic (water repelling) ends. The hydrophilic region is in the form of a head, while the hydrophobic part contains two tails of fatty acid.
hydrophobic tail is present towards the centre of the membrane. This structures results is the formation of lipid bilayer known as unit membrane/biological membrane/cell membrane.
