Overview
Cell membranes are vital structures that protect and organize cells, composed mainly of phospholipids, proteins, and cholesterol. Phospholipids create a bilayer that serves as a barrier, while proteins perform essential functions such as transport and signaling. Cholesterol contributes to the fluidi...
Key Terms
Example: Phospholipids have hydrophilic heads and hydrophobic tails.
Example: Integral proteins help transport substances across the membrane.
Example: Peripheral proteins often play roles in signaling.
Example: Cholesterol is found in animal cell membranes.
Example: Membrane fluidity is affected by temperature and cholesterol.
Example: The fluid mosaic model illustrates how proteins float in the lipid bilayer.