2.4.2 Explain how phospholipids maintain the structure of the cell membrane
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Phospholipids are made up of
Phospholipids are made up of a phosphate group which is polar and water soluble, attached to a glycerol. The glycerol is then attached to two fatty acids which are non-polar and not water soluble. The phosphate 'head' is hydrophilic (water-loving) while the fatty acids 'tails' are hydrophobic (water- hating). Therefore, the phospholipids orientate themselves in a bilayer with the 'heads' pointing outwards towards either the cytoplasm or extracellular fluid. The 'tails' point inwards and create a water-free zone in the middle of the bilayer.
If the cell membrane encounters a disturbance, though the components may temporarily move apart, the phospholipids will reorientate themselves in the bilayer (as a result of their hydrophilic phosphate 'heads' and hydrophobic fatty acid 'tails') and thus maintain the structure of the cell membrane.
If the cell membrane encounters a disturbance, though the components may temporarily move apart, the phospholipids will reorientate themselves in the bilayer (as a result of their hydrophilic phosphate 'heads' and hydrophobic fatty acid 'tails') and thus maintain the structure of the cell membrane.
12 سال پیش
در تاریخ 1391/02/07 منتشر شده
است.
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