Question

List the constituents of the plasma membrane.

Answer 1

Plasma membrane:

1. The plasma membrane is the protective covering membrane that serves as the boundary of the cytoplasm of the animal cell.
2. It exerts selective influence on the ions and molecules entering and leaving the cytoplasm.

Constituents of the plasma membrane.

1. Phospholipids:

• It consists of a bilayer of the outer hydrophobic tail and an inner hydrophilic head.
• One phospholipid molecule comprises a three-carbon glycerol backbone along with 2 fatty acid molecules associated to carbons 1 and 2, and one phosphate-containing group connected to the third carbon.

2. Proteins:

• These consists of integral and peripheral proteins like transporters, channels, receptors and structural supports.

3. Carbohydrates:

• It consists of glycolipids and glycoproteins.
• They are always found on the exterior surface of cells attached to proteins.