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    Plasma Membrane Structure and Functions | Free Biology Notes

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    In this article we will discuss about:- Plasma Membrane Structure, Function of Plasma Membrane and Transport through Plasma Membrane

    What is Plasma Membrane?

    • Plasma membrane is thin, elastic semi permeable living membrane that serves as boundary for the cytoplasm
    • Plasma membrane was coined by Nageli in 1855
    • Also known as Cell membrane or plasmalemma
    • Made up of protein and phospholipids
    • Selectively permeable in nature
    • Dynamic membrane

    Plasma Membrane Structure

    • Three important models explaining the structure of plasma membrane are
      1. Sandwiched model
      2. Unit membrane model
      3. Fluid mosaic model

    1. Sandwiched Model

    • In 1935, proposed by Davson & Danielli
    • Oldest model on the structure of plasma membrane
    • Plasma membrane is made up of three layers
    • Outer protein layer, middle lipid layer & inner protein layer
    • Proteins are alpha globular
    • Lipids are amphipathic
    • Lipids arranged in bilayer in such a manner that tails face each others
    • Van der vaal force helping to 2 layers stay together
    • Proteins on either side of phospholipids bilayers

    2. Unit Membrane Model

    • In 1959, Proposed by Robertson
    • Plasma membrane is made up of three layers
    • Outer protein layer, Middle lipid layer & inner protein layer
    • Proteins are beta fibers
    • Thickness of plasma membrane is 7.5nm (75Å)
    • Lipids are amphipathic
    • Lipids arranged in bilayer in such a manner that tails face each others
    • Van der vaal force helping to 2 layers stay together
    • Proteins on either side of phospholipids bilayers

    3. Fluid Mosaic Model

    • In 1972, Proposed by Singer & Nicolson
    • Made up of protein and phospholipids
    • Proteins are alpha globular & two types

    I) Extrinsic Proteins

    • Arranged on surface of lipid heads
    • Loosely attached

    II) Intrinsic Proteins

    • Deeply embedded
    • Tightly bound to lipids

    Phospholipids have two types of movements

    I) Transition

    • Movement of phospholipids molecules in the same layer

    Ii) Flip Flop

    • Movement of phospholipids molecules between two layers
    • Protein iceberg in a sea of phospholipids

    Function of Plasma Membrane

    a) Mechanical Support

    • It gives shape to the cell
    • Protects all cell contents

    b) Exchange of Materials

    • Regulate the exchange of materials
    • It allows need materials to enter the cell
    • It Send out unwanted materials from the cell

    c) Endocytosis

    • Engulfing of food or foreign particles through the
    • Plasma membrane
    • Endocytosis differentiated into two types

    I) Phagocytosis

    • Engulfing of solid particles through the plasma membrane
    • g. Amoeba & WBC

    II) Pinocytosis

    • Engulfing of fluid particles through the plasma membrane
    • E.g. Epithelial cells of intestine

    d) Exocytosis

    • Process of exudating secretary products from the cells to outside of the cytoplasm
    • E.g. Pancreatic cells

    [ Also Read: Cell Wall Structure and Function ]

    Transport through Plasma Membrane

    1. I) Passive Transport
    • No need ATP
    • Movement of substance according to concentration gradient
    • Higher concentration to lower concentration

    Osmosis: Movement of solvent through selectively permeable membrane

    Diffusion: Movement of molecules through selectively permeable membrane

    Facilitated diffusion: Movement of molecules through transport protein in plasma membrane

    Ii) Active Transport

    • Need ATP
    • Movement of substance against to concentration gradient
    • Lower concentration to Higher concentration
    • E.g. Na+/K+ Pump and Ca Pump etc.

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