Question

What is the role of fat & protein in cell membrane?

Answer 1

Plasma membrane/cell membrane is the outermost layer in cells.

It allows the materials from surrounding to enter and exit the cell. It also allows the materials from cell to exit outside.

It controls the entry and exit of materials in and out of the cell and hence it is called selectively permeable membrane.

The plasma membrane is made up primarily of a bilayer of phospholipids with embedded proteins, carbohydrates, and Glycolipids.

The phospholipid bilayer plays a major role in making the plasma membrane semi-permeable.

The polar ends of phospholipid molecules are in contact with aqueous fluid both inside and outside the cell. Thus, both surfaces of the plasma membrane are hydrophilic. In contrast, the interior of the membrane, between its two surfaces, is a hydrophobic because of the fatty acid tails.

The cell membrane is studded with proteins, some of which span the membrane. Some of these proteins serve to transport materials into or out of the cell.