Question

Which constituent gives flexibility to the plasma membrane?

Answer 1

Dear student,

Plasma membrane is made up of a two layers . This bilayer is composed of two layers of lipids (consists mostly of phospholipids and to a smaller extend of glycolipids). Glycolipids are generally found in the outside layer, whereas phospholipids are predominantly in the inside layer (cytoplasmic side). The other important component of the plasma membrane is protein. Proteins can be associated with the outside (peripheral) of the membrane or they extend throughout the entire membrane (transmembrane). Plasma membrane has 50-50% of both lipids and proteins. Lipids are mainly responsible to give membrane their flexibility.

Regards