Question

What does the fluid mosaic model describe about the structure of plasma membranes? Phospholipids in the membrane are not covalently bonded to each other. Phospholipids in the membrane are not covalently bonded to each other. Membranes are made of water molecules in which proteins and phospholipids dissolve. Membranes are made of water molecules in which proteins and phospholipids dissolve. A membrane has proteins and other components embedded among the phospholipids. A membrane has proteins and other components embedded among the phospholipids. A single layer of phospholipids and proteins makes up the membrane.

Answer 1

Answer: The fluid mosaic model described the plasma membrane that:

A membrane has proteins and other components embedded among the phospholipids.

Explanation: In the fluid mosaic model, phospholipids form a lipid bilayer in which the nonpolar regions or the fatty acyl chains of the lipids face each other at the core of the bilayer and their polar head groups face outward. The fatty acyl chains in the interior of the membrane form a fluid hydrophobic region while the proteins float in the sea of lipid held by hydrophobic interactions with their nonpolar amino acid side chains. Some proteins are embedded in this lipid bilayer protruding from only one side of the membrane while some have their domains exposed on both sides. The domains of proteins exposed on one side of the bilayer are different from the ones exposed on the other side, giving the membrane sidedness and also reflecting functional asymmetry. Both proteins and lipids are free to move laterally in the plane of the bilayer, but their movement from one face of the bilayer to another is restricted.