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The plasma membrane is composed of a phospholipid bilayer and sterols (cholesterol) in between the layers. The phospholipids have a hydrophilic head with fatty acid tails, which are hydrophobic. The hydrophobic sides attract the other hydrophobic sides, forming a bilayer. The hydrophilic sides prevent other substances from entering the cell, thus generating a control for what goes in and out of the cell using protein channels. The cholesterol contributes to the flexibility of the membrane.

For a better picture of the model, go to this link. http://www.YouTube.com/watch?v=Qqsf_UJcfBc

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Q: Why Does the plasma membrane behave like a fluid?
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Why is the plasma membrane referred to as the fluid moasic model?

The plasma membrane is referred to as the fluid mosaic model because it is composed of a fluid lipid bilayer with embedded proteins that create a mosaic-like pattern. The lipid bilayer is fluid and allows for the movement of molecules within the membrane, while the embedded proteins can move around and interact with one another, creating a dynamic and mosaic-like structure.


What part of the cell is referred to as to fluid mosaic model?

The cell membrane or plasma membrane is often referred to as the fluid mosaic model. This is because it is composed of a fluid lipid bilayer with embedded proteins, giving it a mosaic-like appearance. The fluidity allows for the movement and exchange of molecules within the membrane.


Why the cell membrane is described asa fluid mosaic model?

fluid: as the phospholipid bilayer can move sideways freely within the plasma membrane mosaic: the pattern formed by the intrinsic and extrinsic proteins within the plasma membrane ** The molecules are like the tiles of a mosaic but rahter then being embedded in a solid cement-like material, they are embedded in a fluid and can move slightly to allow the passage of materials across the cell membrane and thus into the sytoplasm of the cell.


What does the cell plasma membrane in the cell?

The plasma membrane is somewhat like a filter system.It regulates the entry and exit of substances in and out of the cell.


Which of these is hydrophobic like the interior of the plasma membrane?

glucose and water

Related questions

What is the area between the nucleus and the plasma membrane that is filled with fluid-like gel?

Cytoplasm


Gel-like fluid where the organelles are found?

Fluid in the nucleus--nucleoplasm Fluid between the nucleus and the plasma membrane--cytoplasm


Does the lipid portion of a plasma membrane act like a liquid at the temperature of the human body?

yes, it is fluid


Why is the plasma membrane referred to as the fluid moasic model?

The plasma membrane is referred to as the fluid mosaic model because it is composed of a fluid lipid bilayer with embedded proteins that create a mosaic-like pattern. The lipid bilayer is fluid and allows for the movement of molecules within the membrane, while the embedded proteins can move around and interact with one another, creating a dynamic and mosaic-like structure.


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 part of the cell is referred to as to fluid mosaic model?

The cell membrane or plasma membrane is often referred to as the fluid mosaic model. This is because it is composed of a fluid lipid bilayer with embedded proteins, giving it a mosaic-like appearance. The fluidity allows for the movement and exchange of molecules within the membrane.


What is the principle of the fluid mosaic model of cell membrane structure?

The plasma membrane is described to be fluid because of its hydrophobic integral components such as lipids and membrane proteins that move laterally or sideways throughout the membrane. That means the membrane is not solid, but more like a 'fluid'. The membrane is depicted as mosaic because like a mosaic that is made up of many different parts the plasma membrane is composed of different kinds of macromolecules, such as integral proteins, peripheral proteins, glycoproteins, phospholipids, glycolipids, and in some cases cholesterol, lipoproteins.


How are algae and fungi like?

a plasma membrane


What does the plasma membrane do in the cell?

The plasma membrane is somewhat like a filter system.It regulates the entry and exit of substances in and out of the cell.


What does the plasma membrane in a cell do?

The plasma membrane is somewhat like a filter system.It regulates the entry and exit of substances in and out of the cell.


Which of the following statements about a typical plasma membrane is correct?

The Correct Answer: The sides of the plasma membrane that face the cytoplasm and the outside of the cell have different lipid and protein composition.


Why the cell membrane is described asa fluid mosaic model?

fluid: as the phospholipid bilayer can move sideways freely within the plasma membrane mosaic: the pattern formed by the intrinsic and extrinsic proteins within the plasma membrane ** The molecules are like the tiles of a mosaic but rahter then being embedded in a solid cement-like material, they are embedded in a fluid and can move slightly to allow the passage of materials across the cell membrane and thus into the sytoplasm of the cell.