Fluid Mosaic Model of the Plasma Membrane
- The fluid mosaic model describes the plasma membrane as a flexible lipid bilayer with many different proteins and lipids arranged within it.
- Fluid means many membrane components can move sideways within the plane of the membrane.
- Mosaic means the membrane is made of many different parts, including lipids, proteins, and carbohydrate-containing molecules.
- The fluid mosaic model helps explain how one membrane can act as a barrier, a signal receiver, a transporter, and a cell-recognition surface.
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