NEETBotanyCell - The Unit of Life
What is the main characteristic of the fluid mosaic model?
Options
- AThe ability of proteins to move laterally within the bilayer
- BThe rigid structure of the lipid bilayer
- CThe presence of intercellular junctions
- DThe ability to divide and form new cells
Correct answer
A. The ability of proteins to move laterally within the bilayer
Step-by-step solution
An improved model of the structure of cell membrane was proposed by Singer and Nicolson (1972) widely accepted as fluid mosaic model . According to this, the quasi-fluid nature of lipid enables lateral movement of proteins within the overall bilayer. This ability to move within the membrane is measured as its fluidity.