bilayer
Two molecular layers
A bilayer is a structure consisting of two molecular layers, most commonly referring to the lipid bilayer that forms the membrane of all living cells.
In this arrangement, phospholipid molecules align with their water-attracting heads facing outward and their water-repelling tails facing inward, creating a barrier that controls what enters and exits cells: The drug penetrates the cell's bilayer.
Lipids with phosphate groups
- lipidsWater-insoluble biomolecules
- cell membraneOuter layer of cytoplasm
- liposomesPhospholipid bilayer spheres
- vesiclesSmall enclosed sacs
fluidity · permeability · selectivity · hydrophobic · hydrophilic · diffusion · osmosis · aquaporins
Lipids with phosphate groups
- lipidsWater-insoluble biomolecules
- hydrophobicRepels aqueous substances
- hydrophilicTending to absorb water
- micellesAmphiphile clusters in solution
self-assembly · surfactant · molecular · intermolecular · van der Waals · saturated · unsaturated · fatty acids
Bond thin layers together
- sandwichFilling between bread slices
- compositeMade of distinct parts
- laminarArranged in thin layers
- stackedArranged in a heap
layering · tiered · alternating · sheeted · leaflet · asymmetry · thickness · arrangement
Allowing partial passage
- selectiveChoosing with care
- partitionBarrier separating spaces
- separationState of being apart
- compartmentalizationDivision into distinct sections
containment · boundary · impermeability · insulation · protective · enclosure
phospholipids
Lipids with phosphate groups
- lipidsWater-insoluble biomolecules
- cell membraneOuter layer of cytoplasm
- liposomesPhospholipid bilayer spheres
vesicles · fluidity · permeability · selectivity · hydrophobic · hydrophilic · diffusion · osmosis · aquaporins · channels
phospholipids
Lipids with phosphate groups
- lipidsWater-insoluble biomolecules
- hydrophobicRepels aqueous substances
- hydrophilicTending to absorb water
micelles · self-assembly · surfactant · molecular · intermolecular · van der Waals · saturated · unsaturated · fatty acids · glycerol
laminate
Bond thin layers together
stacked · layering · tiered · alternating · sheeted · leaflet · asymmetry · thickness · arrangement · parallel
semipermeable
Allowing partial passage
- selectiveChoosing with care
- partitionBarrier separating spaces
- separationState of being apart
compartmentalization · containment · boundary · impermeability · insulation · protective · enclosure
- cell membranescell membrane, plasma membrane, nuclear membrane, phospholipid, phospholipids
- epitheliumepithelium, squamous, columnar, stratified, simple
- surfacessurface, sphere, cone, torus, plane
- body tissuestissue, connective tissue, muscle, bone, cartilage
- liposomesliposome, SUV