What are the two main components of the plasma membrane?
Posted January 4, 2024
Answer
The two main components of the plasma membrane are lipids and proteins. The primary functions of lipids in the plasma membrane are contributing to the membrane's rigidity, tension, and overall structure. Unsaturated fatty acids in phospholipids create kinks in the tails, preventing them from packing tightly and thus increasing membrane fluidity. Saturated fatty acids contribute to forming a more rigid membrane because of their straight structure. Membrane proteins have functions in various processes including electron transport, signal transduction, ionic and molecular transport, enzymatic reactions, and intracellular communication.
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