EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -The fluid mosaic model describes the structure of the plasma membrane as a mosaic of components-including phospholipids, cholesterol, proteins, and carbohydrates-in which the components are able to flow and change position, while maintaining the basic integrity of the membrane.

Detailed explanation-2: -The plasma membrane is a fluid mosaic. This means that it is flexible and made up of many different types of molecules. Phospholipids form the basic structure of a cell membrane, called the lipid bilayer. Scattered in the lipid bilayer are cholesterol molecules, which help to keep the membrane fluid consistent.

Detailed explanation-3: -The fluid mosaic model describes the cell membrane as a tapestry of several types of molecules (phospholipids, cholesterols, and proteins) that are constantly moving. This movement helps the cell membrane maintain its role as a barrier between the inside and outside of the cell environments.

Detailed explanation-4: -The fluid mosaic model is used to describe the arrangement of molecules in the membrane-‘fluid’ because the phospholipids are constantly moving around and ‘mosaic’ because protein molecules are scattered throughout the phospholipids like tiles in a mosaic.

Detailed explanation-5: -The fundamental structure of the membrane is the phospholipid bilayer, which forms a stable barrier between two aqueous compartments. In the case of the plasma membrane, these compartments are the inside and the outside of the cell.