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

Answer 1

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.

Answer 2

This membrane is called the fluid mosaic model as it is a mixture of phospholipids, cholesterol, proteins and carbohydrates.
The molecules are able to float around slowly (like islands in the sea). Cholesterol molecules are scattered among the phospholipids to allow the membrane to function properly at body temperature.

Answer 3

It is often said to be a fluid mosaic model.

Answer 4

fluid mosaic

Answer 5

Fluid Mosaic

Answer 6

The term that is used is "lipid bilayer".