Fluid Mosaic Model of Cell Membrane

 

FLUID MOSAIC MODEL

• The fluid mosaic model explains various characteristics regarding the structure of functional cell membranes. 
• According to this biological model, there is a lipid bilayer (two molecules thick layer consisting primarily of amphipathic phospholipids) in which protein molecules are embedded. 
• The phospholipid bilayer gives fluidity and elasticity to the membrane.
• Small amounts of carbohydrates are also found in the cell membrane. 
• The biological model, which was devised by Seymour Jonathan Singer and Garth L. Nicolson in 1972, describes the cell membrane as a two-dimensional liquid where embedded proteins are generally randomly distributed.
• For example, it is stated that "A prediction of the fluid mosaic model is that the two-dimensional long-range distribution of any integral protein in the plane of the membrane is essentially random."

Fluid mosaic model of a cell membrane

Chemical makeup

Components	Location	Functions
Phospholipid	The main fabric of plasma membrane	It provides selective permeability to the cell membrane. The hydrophilic phosphate side is outwards and hydrophobic inwards.
Carbohydrates	Attached to proteins on outside membrane layers	It helps in cell-to-cell recognition.
Cholesterol	Between phospholipids and phospholipid bilayers	It helps the plasma membrane to retain its fluidity.
Proteins	Embedded within or on the surface of phospholipid layers	These form channels to allow the movement of molecules.