ATAR Notes: Forum

VCE Stuff => VCE Science => VCE Mathematics/Science/Technology => VCE Subjects + Help => VCE Biology => Topic started by: shininay on March 19, 2013, 04:41:22 pm

Title: Fluid mosaic model
Post by: shininay on March 19, 2013, 04:41:22 pm

Could anybody please explain this to me?  :(

Title: Re: Fluid mosaic model
Post by: academicbulimia on March 19, 2013, 05:44:26 pm

Well basically it describes the structure of the animal cell's membrane.  It has two layers (a bilayer) of phospholipids (fats with phosphorous attached) as you probably would've read in your textbook. Proteins and substances such as cholesterol become embedded in the bilayer, giving the membrane the look of a mosaic (as it is made up of many small components). Thus the name fluid-mosaic comes into play this way. The fluid part refers to way in which the  is described to be fluid because of how the components such as lipids and membrane proteins can freely move laterally or sideways throughout the membrane. Making it not solid and rigid, but more of a "fluid".