Plasma Membrane
Herbert Sipahutar
Plasma membrane structure
What is the structure of the plasma membrane?
Plasma membrane
▪ The outermost membrane that encloses all cells
▪ Is a semi-permeable membrane that limits the cell from its environment and regulates what
materials enter and leave the cell
▪ Like other membranes, the basic structure of the plasma membrane consists of a
phospholipid bilayer in which proteins are embedded in or bound to the inner surface
(intracellular) and outer surface (extracellular) of the membrane
▪ Function – “semi or selectively permeable” barrier; primarily responsible for ensuring that
the composition of the extracellular fluid is not the same as that of the intracellular fluid
▪ Phospholipids are liquid at room temperature so the membrane functions as a fluid mosaic.
▪ Glycocalyx = protein and carbohydrate sheath that covers the extracellular surface of the
plasma membrane
▪ Allows attachment to other cells
▪ Allows cells to interact with their environment
Characteristics of plasma membrane
▪ Sheet-like structures (layers), composed of proteins, lipids, with carbohydrates attached to
proteins or lipids outside the membrane. Lipids and proteins bind non-covalently.
▪ Lipid molecules are amphipathic molecules, having both hydrophilic (polar) and hydrophobic
(non-polar) groups.
▪ Barriers to the movement of charged molecules and large molecules. Primarily hydrophobic or
lipid soluble molecules.
▪ Transmembrane proteins function as transporters, channels, enzymes, signal transducers, etc.
▪ Membranes can fuse together and be broken down by hydrophobic interactions. Membrane
fusion process is mainly controlled by membrane peripheral proteins.
▪ Budding, endocytosis and exocytosis are common membrane movements involving membrane
fusion.
▪ By membrane fusion, the Golgi complex can move proteins into vesicles towards the
membrane. Secretory proteins can bind to vesicles and be released from the cell.
▪ Mitochondria have 2 layers of membranes, the inside is similar to the membrane of prokaryotes,
the outside of eukaryotes; show the origin of the symbiosis.
Plasma membrane
▪ Fluid mosaic model (Singer and
Nicolson)
▪ The cell membrane or plasma
membrane is a double layer of
phospholipid molecules with protein
molecules embedded in it.
▪ These protein molecules function as
carrier molecules or channels which
provide for the passage of many
molecules across the plasma
membrane.
Phopholipid bilayers of
plasma membrane
▪ Each phospholipid molecule has a polar
head region and a nonpolar tail region.
▪ The polar head region is said to be
hydrophilic because it is attracted to
water molecules.
▪ The polar head region consists of a
phosphate group and a polar head
group.
▪ The nonpolar tail region is said to be
hydrophobic because it is repelled by
water molecules.
▪ The nonpolar tail region of a
phospholipid consists of glycerol and
two fatty acids.
Fluid-mosaic model of plasma membrane
Singer and Nicolson (1972):
▪ The membrane consists of a phospholipid bilayer into which
various proteins are embedded. This fluid-like layer allows the
movement of proteins within.
▪ Amphipathic lipids form bilayers which are stabilized by
hydrophobic interactions.
▪ The lipid bilayers layer is a fluid-like structure, the fluidity is
regulated by the number of fatty acid double bonds (double
bonds fluidity ) and cholesterol content (cholesterol fluidity ).
▪ The membrane components with lipids and proteins are
asymmetrically oriented: the two surfaces are distinct.
▪ The cytoplasm consists of all the internal contents of the cell (except the nucleus, in eukaryotes).
▪ The plasma membrane separates the aqueous cytoplasm from the aqueous external environment
▪ Under these conditions the phospholipids spontaneously organize themselves into a double layer called the
phospholipid bilayer - where the hydrophilic heads make the outer boundary and the hydrophobic tails stay inside -
this layer is mainly responsible for isolating the cell contents from the outside environment.
Phopholipid bilayers of
plasma membrane
▪ In the plasma membrane the 2 layers
of phospholipids are arranged with
their hydrophobic tails pointing toward
each other and their hydrophilic
heads points both toward the inside of
the cell and toward the extracellular
fluid.
▪ Both the interior of the cell and the
extracellular fluid are mostly water.
▪ Micelle: Is an amphipathic molecule in
a watery environment.
▪ Liposomes – spherical structure is
Micelle Liposome favored in a watery environment
Major phospholipids of
plasma membrane
There are 4 major phospholipid
molecules of the plasma membrane:
• Phosphatidyl ethanolamine
• Phosphatidyl serine
• Phosphatidyl choline
• Sphingomyelin
• Sphingosine
Other lipids in plasma
membrane
▪ Other lipids molecules in the
membrane:
▪ Cholesterol
▪ Glycolipids
▪ These molecules inhibit phase
transitions that may occur: (1)
decrease the permeability of the
bilayer to small water-soluble
molecules; (2) prevent the
hydrocarbon chains from coalescing
and crystallizing.
Cholesterol in plasma
membrane
▪ Cholesterol molecules are inserted
between phospholipid molecules
▪ Provides greater space between
phospholipid molecules
▪ Increase membrane fluidity
▪ Bacteria, and also mitochondrion of
eukaryotic cells, have no cholesterol
in their plasma membrane
Function of
cholesterol in plasma
membrane
Cholesterol functions:
▪ Increases and maintains membrane
fluidity and flexibility
▪ Increases membrane stability
▪ Without cholesterol the membrane
would split apart or break due to high
rigidity
▪ Prevents membranes from freezing
Phospholipids mobility in
plasma membrane
▪ Phospholipids in the lipid bilayer can
move rotationally (rotation), laterally
in one bilayer (lateral diffusion),
undergo transverse movement
between bilayers (flip-flop), or flexion.
▪ Lateral movement is what provides
the membrane with a fluid structure.
▪ Phospholipids stay in one region for a
short while before hopping to another
location.
Membrane assymetri –
related to phospholipids
and proteins
The asymmetrical nature of plasma
membrane:
▪ Polar heads of phospholipids and
carbohydrates of glycolipids vary on
two sides of the lipid bilayer;
▪ Protein orientations also vary and are
fixed too.
▪ Example: the outer monolayer
contains most of the lipids having
choline, such as phosphatidylcholine
and sphingomyelin, whereas the inner
monolayer contains more
phosphatidylethanolamine,
phosphatidylinositol and
phosphatidylserine.
Why asymmetry, and for what?
▪ Asymmetry is useful for the cell because it sets an unequal electrical charges
distribution at both sides of the membrane, which helps to generate the membrane
potential.
▪ Asymmetry allows the association of specific proteins with a particular surface of the
membrane due to the distinct environment
▪ Carbohydrates are located in the outer monolayer of the plasma membrane,
contributing to the asymmetry.
▪ The membrane asymmetry also provides physical properties to membranes
(Example, in the plasma membrane, it is thought that it is easier the formation of
vesicles toward the cytosol, i.e. membrane invaginations are easier toward the
cytosol).
Function of phospholipids in plasma membrane
▪ Phospholipids provide barriers in cellular membranes to protect the cell, and they
make barriers for the organelles within those cells.
▪ Phospholipids work to provide pathways for various substances across
membranes
▪ In association with proteins phospholipids form the structural components of
membrane and regulate membrane permeability
▪ Phospholipids are participated in the absorption of fats from the intestine
▪ Phospholipids are essential for the synthesis of different lipoproteins and thus
participate in transport of lipids
▪ The prevent accumulation of fats in liver (lipotropic factors)
▪ Proteins are embedded in the plasma membrane (between
phospholipids), their functions:
1. Glycoproteins are proteins in the plasma membrane that
have a carbohydrate group attached to them
2. Transport proteins regulate the movement of hydrophilic
molecules through the plasma membrane whereas channel
proteins form channels that allow these small molecules to
pass through the membrane. Membrane protein
3. Carrier proteins have binding sites that grab certain
molecules to one side of the membrane
4. Receptor proteins trigger cellular responses when certain
molecules bind to them
5. Recognition proteins serve as "identification tags" and cell
attachment sites.
Integral vs peripheral proteins
Peripheral proteins (extrinsic or Integral proteins (intrinsic proteins)
associated proteins)
▪ Attach loosely to polar regions of ▪ Tightly bound into the lipid bilayer
phospholipids ▪ Difficult to remove from the
▪ Associate with surface of membrane membrane
by electrostatic interactions ▪ Can serve as transporters,
▪ Easily removed from the membrane membrane-linked enzymes,
receptors and for structural support
Glycoprotein – interaction
between carbohydrate and
protein
▪ Proteins embedded in the membrane,
can bind to carbohydrates
(glycoproteins):
▪ Peripheral protein (in one layer)
▪ Integral protein: transmembrane
proteins through both lipid bilayers
▪ Glycoprotein – a combination of sugar
and protein
▪ Sugar sticks outward towards the
extracellular fluid
Types of membrane protein
According to their functions, membrane
proteins can be:
▪ Channel proteins
▪ Active transport proteins
▪ Receptor proteins
▪ Recognition/identity protein
▪ Adhesion proteins
Channel proteins
▪ Does not require any investment of
energy by the cell, molecules move
solely down a concentration gradient
▪ Most stay open around the clock
▪ Acts as a pore for water-soluble ions
▪ May have molecular gates, e.g. nerve
cells during nerve impulses
Active transport proteins
▪ Molecules are pumped against their
concentration gradient, requiring
energy input from the cell
▪ The change in shape allows the
bound substance to pass through the
membrane
▪ Some may require an energy input to
actively pump substances across the
membrane
Receptor proteins
▪ Proteins as binding sites for
hormones
▪ For example: somatotropin hormone
binds to receptors that trigger
enzymes to activate cell growth and
division
Recognition/identity
proteins
▪ Acts as a "molecular fingerprint" on
the cell surface
▪ Self-recognition proteins identify cell
types to other cells
▪ White blood cells are able to
recognize "self" from "no self"
▪ Glycoproteins extend into the
extracellular fluid for easy access for
recognition
Adhesion proteins
▪ Connect cells together in specific
tissues
▪ Glycoproteins connect neighboring
cells
▪ Some may become cell junctions
Carbohydrate
membrane
▪ Carbohydrate groups project from the
extracellular face
▪ Carbohydrates can be attached to
proteins (glycoproteins) or to lipids
(glycolipids)
▪ Carbohydrate groups serve as
attachment sites for extracellular
proteins or as cell recognition sites
Transmembrane transport
How does molecules transported through the cell membrane?
Transmembrane transport
▪ Homeostasis is the steady state in which cells are constantly making fine adjustments
in order to keep the entire organism in balance.
▪ Cells maintain internal steady state by taking in and removing matter from/to its
environment
▪ The entry and exit of materials through the membrane is carried out through a
transmembrane transport mechanism
▪ Absorption – taking in needed materials
▪ Excretion – the elimination of cellular waste
▪ Secretion – the release of product made by cell
▪ Passive transport: does not require energy → diffusion and osmosis
▪ Active transport: require energy
Transportation transmembrane: ions & small molecules
Small hydrophobic (nonpolar & uncharged)
molecules can pass directly through the
phospholipid layers of the plasma membrane.
Small uncharged polar molecules can also
pass directly. Water molecules are small
enough to diffuse through, and ethanol and
glycerol will dissolve in the lipid layers.
These require transmembrane protein carrier
molecules
Ions, even though they are small, cannot
pass through the uncharged, nonpolar lipid
bilayer. Ions require transmembrane protein
channel molecules to pass through the lipid
bilayer.
Because the plasma membrane regulates what and how materials enter or
leave cells, it is said to be selectively permeable.
Types of facilitated
transmembrane transport
Based on the direction of material
movement, transmembrane transport is
divided into 3 types:
1. Uniporter
2. Simporter
3. Antiporter
Transportation
transmembrane:
particles and liquid
▪ Sometimes large particles or a
large amount of liquid must be
taken into the cell.
▪ Large particles →
phagocytosis (cell eating
▪ Liquid → pinocytosis (cell
drinking)
Passive transport
▪ Motion is always down the ▪ Type of solution:
concentration gradient
▪ Isotonic – solutions having the same
▪ Diffusion concentration of water and solutes
▪ Osmosis ▪ Hypotonic – a solution with a greater
concentration of water & a lesser
▪ Diffusion and osmosis are examples of concentration of solute than another
passive transport. Does not require
energy ▪ Hypertonic – a solution with a lesser
concentration of water and a greater
▪ The solute concentration of concentration of solute than another
intercellular fluid determines the
direction of osmosis.
Types of solution
Isotonic
Hypertonic
Hypotonic
Diffusion
▪ Diffusion is the spreading out of
molecules of a substance from an
area of greater concentration to areas
of lesser concentration.
▪ Diffusion of water across a
semipermeable membrane is
osmosis.
Solutions surrounding the cells
Isotonic Hypertonic Hypotonic
Diffusion
Which way will water molecules
move?
Water moves in and Net movement of Net movement of water
water is out of cells. is into cells. Cells swell
out equally. Cells shrink and die. and burst = Cytolysis.
Diffusion: plant vs animal cells
Plant cells Animal cells
If plant cells are placed in a hypotonic
solution, the cells cannot swell and burst
because of their cell wall. The central
vacuole fills with water.
Plasmolysis = Turgor pressure =
cytoplasm shrinks water pressure
away from cell wall. inside plant cell
Diffusion: plant vs animal cells
Plant cells Animal cells
Diffusion in plant cells
▪ Turgor pressure makes plant
tissues crisp.
▪ Wilting is a loss of turgor pressure
Facilitated diffusion
Large molecules (glucose & amino
acids) need help to cross the plasma
membrane
Motion is DOWN the concentration
gradient
No energy is required, but these are
transmembrane protein
Active transport
▪ Moves molecules (ions) UP the
concentration gradient
▪ Energy is required
▪ Protein carrier molecules are
required.
Passive vs active
transport
▪ Passive transport – does not
require energy:
▪ Diffusion
▪ Passive transport down
electrochemical gradient
▪ Carrier mediated
▪ Active transport – require energy
▪ Primary active transport
▪ Secondari active transport
Functions of plasma membrane
What is the general function of plasma membrane?
▪ Physical barrier: plasma membrane is the boundary that
separate the living cells from its environment
▪ Regulation of exchange with the environment (transport
of molecules: channel, pumps) – selective permeability
▪ Recognition (cell ID or identity) and communication
between the cell (cell-cell communication) and its
environment: carbohydrates, cell surface receptors, cell
Function of plasma
adhesion molecules, junction proteins membrane
▪ Structural support: size and shape
▪ Cell signaling: cell membrane bound receptors,
enzymes and proteins
▪ Protection of the cellular organelles: from outermost of
the cells
▪ Compartmentalization – segregates one part of the cell
from other
▪ Membrane modification for specialized functions –
myelin sheath of neuron, microvilli in intestine
▪ Digestive function: takes in food and excretes waste
products (phagocytosis and pinocytosis)
Thank you
Q/A session
