NEET 2010
- Exam
- NEET
- Year
- 2010
- Subject
- Botany
- Chapter
- Cell - The Unit of Life
NEET 2010 · Botany · Cell - The Unit of Life
The plasma membrane consists mainly of
The plasma membrane consists mainly of
Options
- Aphospholipids embedded in a protein bilayer
- Bproteins embedded in a phospholipid bilayer
- Cproteins embedded in a polymer of glucose molecules
- Dproteins embedded in a carbohydrate bilayer
Correct answer
B. proteins embedded in a phospholipid bilayer
Step-by-step solution
According to fluid mosaic model given by Singer and Nicholson (1972), plasma membrane consists of a continuous bilayer of phospholipid molecules, in which globular proteins are embedded. This arrangement corresponds to icebergs (proteins) floating in a sea of phospholipids. Proteins stay in the membrane because they have regions of hydrophobic amino acids which interact with fatty acid tails to exclude water. Rest of the molecule is hydrophilic, which faces into or outward, both of which are aqueous environment.