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.
Related Topics
Cell Signaling
The process by which cells communicate with each other through signals and receptors.
intermediateTransport Mechanisms
The various ways substances move across cell membranes, including diffusion and active transport.
intermediateLipid Metabolism
The biochemical processes involved in the synthesis and degradation of lipids in the body.
advancedKey Concepts
PhospholipidsProteinsCholesterolMembrane Fluidity