Chapter 7.2, Problem 3MI

Summary Introduction

To determine:

Definition of term selective permeability, phospholipid bilayer, transport protein, fluid mosaic model.

Explanation of Solution

Selective permeability: In biology permeability is defined as the ease of transfer of molecules, through a membrane (biological membrane). Selective permeability is a condition, in which some of the molecules are permeable (allowed to pass) through a membrane and some of the molecules are inhibited to pass the membrane.

Phospholipid bilayer: It is a two layered arrangement of lipid and phosphate molecule and it is the main component of the cell membrane. It has a hydrophobic tail facing inward and hydrophilic head facing outward.

Transport protein: Transport protein is a carrier protein molecule embedded in the phospholipid bilayer which helps in the transportation of the molecules which cannot travel from inside cell to outside and vice versa.

Fluid mosaic model: It is a model which describe the structure of the cell membrane as a mosaic of different components. This mosaic has phospholipids, cholesterol, carbohydrates and proteins which gives the membrane a fluid like structure.