BRAINCAKEFluid-mosaic Model
The arrangement of the components of the plasma membrane is known as the fluid mosaic model.
The membrane is fluid and flexible. The phospholipid moelcules can move relative to one another and the membrane can change its shape.
The membrane has the appearance of a mosaic pattern. The proteins embedded in the membrane vary in shape, size and position.
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Key terms in this lesson
- phospholipid
- A lipid in which one fatty acid is replaced by a phosphate group, giving a hydrophilic head and hydrophobic tails.
More in Transport Across Cell Membranes
- Proteins
- Cholesterol
- Glycolipids
- Glycoproteins
- Membrane Permeability
- Simple Diffusion
- Facilitated Diffusion
- Protein Channels
All 22 lessons in Transport Across Cell Membranes · All AQA AS-level Biology topics