The Fluid Mosaic Model and Function of the Cell Membrane

• Biology
• 10th Grade

The Fluid Mosaic Model and Function of the Cell Membrane

Learning Objectives

• At the end of the lesson, you will understand the structure and composition of the plasma membrane as described by the fluid mosaic model.
• At the end of the lesson, you will understand the function of the cell membrane as a barrier and semi-permeable entity.
• At the end of the lesson, you will understand the arrangement of phospholipids in the cell membrane and how this contributes to its function.

What do you already know about the structure and function of the cell membrane?

The Fluid Mosaic Model

• Describes the plasma membrane as a mosaic of components
• Gives the membrane a fluid character
• Thickness ranges from 5 to 10 nm

Components of the Plasma Membrane

• Phospholipids
• Cholesterol
• Proteins
• Carbohydrates

Function of the Cell Membrane

• Acts as a barrier
• Separates the cytoplasm from the outside
• Semi-permeable
• Allows certain substances to cross

Arrangement of Phospholipids

• Hydrophilic heads face water
• Hydrophobic tails avoid water
• Keeps the cell membrane intact

Fluid Mosaic Model

• A model that describes the structure of the plasma membrane as a mosaic of components
• Gives the membrane a fluid character

Plasma Membrane

• The boundary of the cell
• Acts as a barrier and semi-permeable entity

Phospholipids

• Lipid molecules that form the main component of the cell membrane
• Arranged with hydrophilic heads facing water and hydrophobic tails avoiding water

Write down 3 things you learned in this lesson.

Have students enter three things they learned in this lesson. With this they can indicate their own learning efficiency of this lesson.

Write down 2 things you want to know more about.

Here, students enter two things they would like to know more about. This not only increases involvement, but also gives them more ownership.

Ask 1 question about something you haven't quite understood yet.

The students indicate here (in question form) with which part of the material they still have difficulty. For the teacher, this not only provides insight into the extent to which the students understand/master the material, but also a good starting point for the next lesson.