CHAPTER 2: CELLS
Cellular Components
The typical cell is organized into 2 distinct components: the plasma membrane & cytoplasm
1. Plasma Membrane
The plasma membrane is a moving structure composed of fluid, free-floating lipids and different proteins that are either free-floating or anchored to parts of the membrane. It defines the cell from it’s external environment.
Structure of the Plasma Membrane
The plasma membrane is a flexible lipid bilayer covering the entire cell surface with embedded protein channels and cell junctions that offer both stability and routes for communication.
Lipid component (40%): a double layer of lipids provides the structural framework of the plasma membrane. (a) Phospholipids
Hydrophilic heads (“water loving”) Hydrophobic tails (“water fearing”)
(b) Cholesterol (c) Glycolipids -sugars attach to fat
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