Structure of the cell membrane

Cell membrane

Single line visible but no structure discernible

Cell membrane as seen with the electron microscope

protein width = 7.5 nm

lipid

protein

Called a bilayer Originally though likened to a protein-lipid-protein sandwich

cell membrane

The cytoplasm is also full of internal membranes, all of which have a similar appearance. Hence the term unit membrane.

Components of a cell membrane

Proteins (approx 45%) globular proteins with a variety of different shapes and functions Carbohydrates (approx 5%) on cell surface membrane only attached to proteins glycoproteins lipids glycolipids

 Lipids (50%) As phospholipids Glycerol + 2 fatty acid chains + phosphate group

phosphate group glycerol fatty acid
no charge

so non-polar - ve charge
so polar

soluble in water

water loving

water hating

insoluble in water

 Polar nature of the molecule determines how a phospholipids behaves in water

Form a layer floating on the water surface hydrophobic tails project above the water surface hydrophilic heads dissolve in the water Within the water they form spherical micelles with the hydrophilic heads' on the outside dissolved in the water and the hydrophilic tails in the centre as far away from the water as possible

 The problem facing the phospholipids in the cell membrane is that both the inside and the outside of a cell is aqueous! So how to the hydrophobic tails avoid the water? Solution. The phospholipids for a bilayer with the heads to the outside and inside and the tails in between

water in the external environment

water in the cytoplasm

Fluid mosaic model of the structure of cell membranes

Width = 7.5 nm

Often described as protein icebergs floating in a lipid sea

Phospholipids bilayer = phospholipids arranged so hydrophobic tails avoid contact with water Phospholipids molecules can move so bilayer flows like a fluid Cholesterol molecules reduces fluidity Hence fluid mosaic model

Proteins = globular proteins embedded randomly in phospholipids bilayer like a mosaic

can move freely Types of protein structural enzymes channels carriers receptors antigens

Carbohydrate chains are attached to proteins (=glycoproteins) and lipids (= glycolipids) on the outside surface of the cell surface membrane only

Role of cell membranes

Cell surface membrane Forms the outer boundary to a cell Separates the cytoplasm from the external environment so they can have different compositions Partially permeable so controls what enters and leaves the cell Involved in cell-cell binding and recognition

Internal membranes Forms the outer boundaries of organelles e.g. mitochondria Controls what enters and leaves organelles

Provides surfaces for metabolic processes to take place on e.g. respiration protein synthesis