What are the main functions of plasma membrane protein?
The cell membrane is quasi fluid, elastic, pliable, and thin partitions over and inside the cytoplasm. They are selectively permeable for solutes and semipermeable for water. They consist of lipids, proteins, carbohydrates, and water. The important lipids of the membrane are phospholipid and phosphoglycerides. The lipids possess both polar hydrophilic head and non-polar hydrophobic tail and hence are considered as amphipathic.
The hydrophobic tail occurs towards the center of the membrane while the hydrophilic head is present towards the outer side. This structure is known as the lipid bilayer.
The protein molecules are present both inside and on the outside of the lipid bilayer membrane. The internal proteins are known as intrinsic or integral proteins while the external ones are known as extrinsic or peripheral proteins.
The integral proteins are pass into the lipid bilayer at different depths and form hydrophobic bonds with the lipid molecules. Some of the integral proteins extend all the way across the proteins and are known as transmembrane proteins.
While the peripheral proteins are present superficially on the two surfaces of the membrane. They can be shift laterally and hence provide flexibility and dynamism to the cell membrane. For example, if a hormone acts as a peripheral protein it may bind to the membrane surface and make the cell do the required function and then detaches from the membrane surface.
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