NEET BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Biological membranes consist of a continuous double layer of lipid molecules in which membrane proteins are embedded. This lipid bilayer is fluid, with individual lipid molecules able to diffuse rapidly within their own monolayer. The membrane lipid molecules are amphipathic. The most numerous are the phospholipids.

Detailed explanation-2: -With few exceptions, cellular membranes-including plasma membranes and internal membranes-are made of glycerophospholipids, molecules composed of glycerol, a phosphate group, and two fatty acid chains. Glycerol is a three-carbon molecule that functions as the backbone of these membrane lipids.

Detailed explanation-3: -Like all other cellular membranes, the plasma membrane consists of both lipids and proteins. The fundamental structure of the membrane is the phospholipid bilayer, which forms a stable barrier between two aqueous compartments.

Detailed explanation-4: -A cell membrane is a bilayer because it is made up of 2 layers of lipids. The heads of the lipids are faced towards the opposites sides (the inside and outside of a cell) while the tail (the 2 fatty acids) are inside the layer facing each other.

Detailed explanation-5: -Phospholipids. Phospholipids, arranged in a bilayer, make up the basic fabric of the plasma membrane. They are well-suited for this role because they are amphipathic, meaning that they have both hydrophilic and hydrophobic regions.