fluid mosaic model
Membrane structure theory
The fluid mosaic model is the widely accepted description of cell membrane structure, depicting it as a flexible lipid bilayer with proteins embedded throughout like tiles in a mosaic.
The "fluid" part refers to how lipid molecules and proteins can move laterally within the membrane rather than being fixed in place.
This model, proposed in 1972, explains how membranes can be both stable barriers and dynamic structures that allow selective transport of molecules.
- membraneThin tissue sheet
- phospholipidPhosphate-containing membrane lipid
- bilayerTwo-layer molecular arrangement
- proteinFolded amino chain
- cholesterolWaxy lipid in blood
cell · receptor · channel · lipid · diffusion · lateral · movement · cell membrane · permeability · hydrophobic · hydrophilic · plasma · transport · glycoprotein · embedded · floating · raft · semifluid