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Membrane Structure 1 definitions

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  • Phospholipid
    Major membrane component with hydrophilic head and hydrophobic tails, enabling bilayer formation and lateral movement.
  • Cholesterol
    Sterol molecule that fills gaps between fatty acids, reducing membrane fluidity and enhancing structural integrity.
  • Protein
    Predominant membrane constituent responsible for functional roles such as transport, signaling, and structure.
  • Fatty Acid
    Hydrocarbon chain in phospholipids; saturation level influences membrane rigidity and fluidity.
  • Saturated Fatty Acid
    Hydrocarbon chain without double bonds, promoting membrane rigidity and higher melting points.
  • Unsaturated Fatty Acid
    Hydrocarbon chain with cis double bonds, introducing kinks that increase membrane fluidity at low temperatures.
  • Monolayer
    Single leaflet of the membrane bilayer, exhibiting distinct lipid composition and asymmetric distribution.
  • Flippase
    Enzyme facilitating movement of phospholipids from one membrane leaflet to the opposite side, maintaining asymmetry.
  • Scramblase
    Enzyme enabling bidirectional phospholipid transfer between membrane leaflets, contributing to lipid distribution.
  • Lipid Raft
    Dense microdomain within the membrane, enriched in sphingolipids and cholesterol, influencing membrane organization.
  • Sphingolipid
    Lipid class concentrated in membrane rafts, contributing to microdomain formation and membrane stability.
  • Plasma Membrane
    Cell's outer boundary, rich in cholesterol and proteins, crucial for structural integrity and selective interactions.
  • Internal Membrane
    Intracellular membrane with distinct lipid composition, often involved in vesicle formation and fusion.
  • Fluid Mosaic Model
    Concept describing membranes as dynamic, fluid structures with diverse proteins and lipids enabling cellular functions.
  • Vesicle
    Membrane-bound structure formed by pinching or fusion, facilitating transport and communication within cells.