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Q: Which describes why phospholipids are better suited to forming the cell membrane than regular fats or steroids?
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What part of the plasma membrane is hydrophilic?

The plasma membrane is a dynamic structure. It is composed of 2 layers of lipid material with protein molecules interspersed through out. The phospholipids move at a rate of 2um. /sec. while the proteins move at a much slower rate. The phospholipids have 2 definite ends, a hydrophilic (focusing to the outside and inside of the membrane) and a hydrophobic one (forming the center of the membrane


What is the polymer of lipids?

Fatty Acids are the polymers or building blocks of lipids


Membrane forming a collection of cavities is the?

Endoplasmic reticulum


Explain the function of the cell membrane?

The plasma membrane separates the cell from its' surrounding environment and is arranged in a bilayer sheet of phospholipids. It is a mosaic of molecules in a fluid. That is, the molecules are able to float around slowly (like islands in the sea). The cholesterol molecules are scattered among the phospholipids to allow the membrane to function properly at body temperature. Most of the bilayer is hydrophobic; therefore water or water-soluble molecules do not pass through easily. A cell controls what moves through the membrane by means of membrane proteins embedded in the phospholipid bilayer. Some membrane proteins have carbohydrates attached to them, forming glycoproteins that act as identification markers.


The plasma membrane of a cell consists of?

The plasma membrane of a cell consists of the phospholipid bilayer and proteins embeded in lipid bilayer in a mosaic manner . The phospholipid bilayer is formed by phospholipids that have a polar head , and a non-polar tail of fatty acids . Embedded in it, we can find proteins with a variety of functions including the transport of molecules across the membrane, and cell-to-cell recognition.There are 20 to 40 % lipids and 60 to 80 % proteins in plasma membrane .

Related questions

What forms a double layered cell membrane?

Phospholipids lays the basic structure.Proteins,carbohydrates also join in forming the membrane.


What is the most plentiful component of the cell membrane by weight?

Probably phospholipids. Proteins may individually be heavier, but the sheer number of phospholipids forming the membrane should altogether outweigh any other components.


What part of the plasma membrane is hydrophilic?

The plasma membrane is a dynamic structure. It is composed of 2 layers of lipid material with protein molecules interspersed through out. The phospholipids move at a rate of 2um. /sec. while the proteins move at a much slower rate. The phospholipids have 2 definite ends, a hydrophilic (focusing to the outside and inside of the membrane) and a hydrophobic one (forming the center of the membrane


What does th cell membrane do?

The cell membrane allows food, water and unneeded wastes to travel in and out of the cell (it kind of acts like a filter in a way). While protecting and supporting the cell in place. Cell surface membrane: phospholipids bilayer with protein forming a partially permeable membrane It restricts movement and supports shape.


What term describes the structure of a cell plasma membrane because of its oily nature and embedded proteins?

The term used to describe the plasma membrane because of it's oily nature and embedded proteins is the fluid-mosaic model.The plasma membrane that surrounds each cell has two layers of phospholipids (fat with phosphorous attached).Each phospholipid molecule has a head that is attracted to water (hydrophilic) and a tail that repels water (hydrophobic) . Both the layers of the plasma membrane have the hydrophilic ends pointing to the outside forming the outer layer of the plasma membrane and the hydrophobic tails pointing inside and forming the inner layer of the plasma membrane.Proteins and substances such as cholesterol become embedded in the bi-layer of the plasma membrane giving it a mosaic look.At body temperature the plasma membrane has a liquid consistency like the vegetable oil and proteins and other substances are able to move across the plasma membrane. Due to this reason the plasma membrane is described using the term fluid-mosaic model.


What is the polymer of lipids?

Fatty Acids are the polymers or building blocks of lipids


Where are phospholipids primarily found in the body?

The main component of cell membranes are made up of phospholipids. In fact, another name for the cell membrane is the phospholipid bilayer.


Why is plasma membrane called a lipid bilayer and a fluid mosaic model?

It is often called the cell membrane because it is made up of phospholipid bilayers. It is also often called the plasma membrane. Each phospholipid joins together at the hydrophilic head, leaving the hydrophobic tail on the inside, and forming a bilayer.


What is an aperture membrane?

An aperture membrane is a section of enzine forming the base of an aperture.


Membrane forming a collection of cavities is the?

Endoplasmic reticulum


What is the membraned covered structure that contains all materials necessary for life?

if you don't know the answer then don't say anything its very stupid. The answer is plasma membrane is the boundary between the fluids within and outside of a cell. It is composed primarily of phospholipids and proteins. The phospholipids are arranged in 2 layers with their hydrophobic fatty acid tails to the interior of the membrane and their hydrophilic polar heads on the inner and outer surfaces. Some of these molecules have carbohydrate chains attached to them forming glycolipids and glycoproteins. Cholesterol is found in animal plasma membranes. The membrane is a fluid and its components are slowly drifting past one another.


Explain the function of the cell membrane?

The plasma membrane separates the cell from its' surrounding environment and is arranged in a bilayer sheet of phospholipids. It is a mosaic of molecules in a fluid. That is, the molecules are able to float around slowly (like islands in the sea). The cholesterol molecules are scattered among the phospholipids to allow the membrane to function properly at body temperature. Most of the bilayer is hydrophobic; therefore water or water-soluble molecules do not pass through easily. A cell controls what moves through the membrane by means of membrane proteins embedded in the phospholipid bilayer. Some membrane proteins have carbohydrates attached to them, forming glycoproteins that act as identification markers.