Show Online Biology DictionaryEUGENE M. MCCARTHY, PHD GENETICS 
The fluid mosaic model was first proposed by S. J. Singer and G. L. Nicolson in 1972 to describe the structure of cell membranes (Singer and Nicolson 1972). In this now-accepted theory about cell structure, phospholipid molecules, each with one hydrophobic, and one hydrophilic end, make up most of the membrane. The hydrophilic heads form the inner and outer surfaces the membrane and the hydrophobic tails, which are repelled by the water within and outside the cell, are sandwiched in between (see figure right). This is known as the phospholipid bilayer (or simply lipid bilayer). This arrangement is fluid, not solid, because the various functional macromolecules embedded in the phospholipid matrix can move about the surface of the cell. Because of this fluidity such membranes are often called plasma membranes (one meaning of the word plasma is a complex fluid). The model is called mosaic because it proposes that the membrane is made up of many different parts, including proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids, which pave the surface of the cell much like the individual tiles of an ordinary mosaic (see picture of an ancient Roman mosaic below). This composite structure allows the membrane to perform multiple functions. For example, certain embedded proteins may act as channels allowing particular molecules to pass through the membrane. Others may serve as labels allowing recognition of the cell. Still others may act as sensors that detect various features of the ambient environment of the cell. Next page >> Online Biology Dictionary >> The fluid mosaic model explains the structure of cell membranes in terms of a phospholipid bilayer as illustrated below. The Gypsy of Zeugma, an ancient Roman mosaic:
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The fluid mosaic model was first proposed by S.J. Singer and Garth L. Nicolson in 1972 to explain the structure of the plasma membrane. The model has evolved somewhat over time, but it still best accounts for the structure and functions of the plasma membrane as we now understand them. The fluid mosaic model describes the structure of the plasma membrane as a mosaic of components —including phospholipids, cholesterol, proteins, and carbohydrates—that gives the membrane a fluid character. Plasma membranes range from 5 to 10 nm in thickness. For comparison, human red blood cells, visible via light microscopy, are approximately 8 µm wide, or approximately 1,000 times wider than a plasma membrane. The proportions of proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates in the plasma membrane vary with cell type. For example, myelin contains 18% protein and 76% lipid. The mitochondrial inner membrane contains 76% protein and 24% lipid. The main fabric of the membrane is composed of amphiphilic or dual-loving, phospholipid molecules. The hydrophilic or water-loving areas of these molecules are in contact with the aqueous fluid both inside and outside the cell. Hydrophobic, or water-hating molecules, tend to be non- polar. A phospholipid molecule consists of a three-carbon glycerol backbone with two fatty acid molecules attached to carbons 1 and 2, and a phosphate-containing group attached to the third carbon. This arrangement gives the overall molecule an area described as its head (the phosphate-containing group), which has a polar character or negative charge, and an area called the tail (the fatty acids), which has no charge. They interact with other non-polar molecules in chemical reactions, but generally do not interact with polar molecules. When placed in water, hydrophobic molecules tend to form a ball or cluster. The hydrophilic regions of the phospholipids tend to form hydrogen bonds with water and other polar molecules on both the exterior and interior of the cell. Thus, the membrane surfaces that face the interior and exterior of the cell are hydrophilic. In contrast, the middle of the cell membrane is hydrophobic and will not interact with water. Therefore, phospholipids form an excellent lipid bilayer cell membrane that separates fluid within the cell from the fluid outside of the cell. Proteins make up the second major component of plasma membranes. Integral proteins (some specialized types are called integrins) are, as their name suggests, integrated completely into the membrane structure, and their hydrophobic membrane-spanning regions interact with the hydrophobic region of the the phospholipid bilayer. Single-pass integral membrane proteins usually have a hydrophobic transmembrane segment that consists of 20–25 amino acids. Some span only part of the membrane—associating with a single layer—while others stretch from one side of the membrane to the other, and are exposed on either side. Some complex proteins are composed of up to 12 segments of a single protein, which are extensively folded and embedded in the membrane. This type of protein has a hydrophilic region or regions, and one or several mildly hydrophobic regions. This arrangement of regions of the protein tends to orient the protein alongside the phospholipids, with the hydrophobic region of the protein adjacent to the tails of the phospholipids and the hydrophilic region or regions of the protein protruding from the membrane and in contact with the cytosol or extracellular fluid. Carbohydrates are the third major component of plasma membranes. They are always found on the exterior surface of cells and are bound either to proteins (forming glycoproteins) or to lipids (forming glycolipids). These carbohydrate chains may consist of 2–60 monosaccharide units and can be either straight or branched. Along with peripheral proteins, carbohydrates form specialized sites on the cell surface that allow cells to recognize each other. This recognition function is very important to cells, as it allows the immune system to differentiate between body cells (called “self”) and foreign cells or tissues (called “non-self”). Similar types of glycoproteins and glycolipids are found on the surfaces of viruses and may change frequently, preventing immune cells from recognizing and attacking them. These carbohydrates on the exterior surface of the cell—the carbohydrate components of both glycoproteins and glycolipids—are collectively referred to as the glycocalyx (meaning “sugar coating”). The glycocalyx is highly hydrophilic and attracts large amounts of water to the surface of the cell. This aids in the interaction of the cell with its watery environment and in the cell’s ability to obtain substances dissolved in the water. Key Points
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What did Nicolson and singer discover?The Fluid-Mosaic Membrane Model of cell membrane structure was based on thermodynamic principals and the available data on component lateral mobility within the membrane plane [Singer SJ, Nicolson GL. The Fluid Mosaic Model of the structure of cell membranes.
What is the fluid mosaic model explain?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.
What is the difference between fluid mosaic model and sandwich model?Fluid mosaic model is the model that states large protein molecules are embedded partially or completely within the lipid bilayer while the sandwich model described the cell membrane structure as a lipid layer sandwiched between two protein layers.
How does the fluid mosaic model of Singer Nicholson differ from the unit membrane model of Robertson?The Robertson model has two continuous layers of proteins, in between which lipid layers are present, whereas, in the Singer and Nicholson model, proteins are of two types and they differ in the arrangement.
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