A: Phospholipid
A1: Phosphate head (hydrophilic, polar)
A2: Two fatty acid tails (hydrophobic, non-polar)
B: Glycolipid
C: Glycoprotein
D: Carbohydrate
E: Cholesterol
F: Integral Membrane Protein
G: Channel Protein
H-I: Phospholipid Bi-layer
(b) Explain how the properties of molecules A and C cause them to be arranged as shown in the plasma membrane.
• When in water the phospholipid (A) is arranged in that particular manner because there are two layers of phospholipids aligned straight. The phosphate head’s polar and hydrophilic nature tends the head to face the outside, attracting towards the water while the tails having a non-polar hydrophobic nature are faced inside repelling the liquid and moving away from it.
• The glycoproteins (C) are proteins embedded into the phospholipid bilayer by electrostatic and hydrophilic forces similar to that of the phosphate head with carbohydrate chains attached to the outer surface. The hydrophilic nature of the glycoprotein tends it to move towards the liquid (water) and so, it is arranged similar to the phospholipid.
(c)
…show more content…
The plasma membrane is a fluid structure which allows certain molecules in and excretes the wastes through its semi-permeable membrane. The membrane is referred to as “fluid” due to the continuous movement of the phospholipids in a horizontal manner. The phospholipids never stay in