BIOLOGY CONNECT ACCESS CARD 1-SEMESTER
BIOLOGY CONNECT ACCESS CARD 1-SEMESTER
12th Edition
ISBN: 9781264019090
Author: Raven
Publisher: MCG/CREATE
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Chapter 5, Problem 1IQ

According to the fluid mosaic model, membranes are held together by hydrophobic interactions. Considering the forces that some cells may experience, why do membranes not break apart every time an animal moves?

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Summary Introduction

To explain: That why do membranes not break apart every time an animal moves.

Introduction: The cell membrane is also called cytoplasmic membrane or plasma membrane. Cell membrane is a biological membrane. The major function of the cell membrane is to protect the cell from its surroundings.

Explanation of Solution

The fluid mosaic model describes the structure of cell membrane. In fluid mosaic model, a flexible layer is composed of lipid molecules and is interspersed with large molecules of protein. As the name suggests for this model (fluid mosaic model), the cell membranes have some degree of fluidity. The degree of fluidity differs with the membrane composition, while in all membranes; phospholipids are able to move about inside the membrane. The phospholipid bilayers are spontaneously formed due to the hydrophobic and hydrophilic opposite ends of phospholipid molecules. Thus, when stressing forces occurs to damage a membrane, automatically adjacent phospholipids move to fill in the opening. Therefore, the membrane does not break apart every time an animal moves.

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Students have asked these similar questions
In the membrane of a human red blood cell, the ratio of the mass of protein (average molecular weight 50,000) to phospholipid (molecular weight 800) to cholesterol (molecular weight 386) is about 2:1:1. How many lipid molecules are there for every protein molecule?
Animal cells are enclosed in a cell membrane. According tothe fluid mosaic model, this membrane is held together byhydrophobic interactions. Consider the shear forces involved.Why does this membrane not break every time an animalmoves?
A) how does a phospholipid differ from a fat? Why is this important for the cells lipid by layer? B) what is the difference between active and passive transport?

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