Question

What does not describe a biological membrane?

Answer 1

Answer:

A biological membrane is not a static lipid bilayer.

Explanation:

• A biological membrane also called the plasma membrane is not just a lipid bilayer.
• It is specifically called a Phospholipid Bilayer.
• It is composed of :

1. A glycerol moiety which is attached by three ester bonds with,
2. One Phosphate moiety.
3. Two chains made up of Fatty acids (both saturated and unsaturated).

• The fatty acid chains being hydrophobic in nature face towards the interior of the bilayer and the phosphate groups being hydrophilic in nature face towards the outer side.
• The phospholipid bilayer is also interspersed by integral membrane proteins, carrier proteins and membrane associated proteins and also cholesterol molecules.
• The bilayer is not static, it is fluid in nature. This means that the lipid molecules and proteins can laterally displace and move from their place in the membrane.
• The fluidity of the membrane is accounted by the unsaturated fatty acids that have bends or kinks in the chain ( saturated fatty acid has straight linear chains). These bends promote movement in the chains, thereby making the membrane fluid in nature.