Q2-GenBio1 M1

SELF-LEARNING MODULE (SLM)
GENERAL BIOLOGY 1
Quarter 2 | Module 1 | AY 2024-2025
TEACHER: MARICEL E. GINDAP
I. OBJECTIVES
a. Identify the three major constituents of the cell membrane;
b. Distinguish the different composition of the cell membrane;
c. Explain the importance of the structural components of the cell membrane;
d. Explain how the arrangement of molecules provides fluidity to the cell.
II. SUBJECT MATTER

• Structural Components of the Cell Membrane
III. LEARNING RESOURCES

Textbook: General Biology 1 DIWA Senior High School Series
LESSON DISCUSSION
The Cell Membrane
Cell Membrane (also known as plasma membrane)

is a physical and chemical barrier which separates
the inside and outside of the cell providing fixed
environment inside the cell. It is a bilayer of lipid
with embedded proteins, in which the proteins and
lipids
The Structural Component of the Cell Membrane
The cell membrane is composed of three main components: lipids, proteins, and
carbohydrates. The ratio of lipids and proteins in the cell membrane is 1:1 or 50% lipids and
50% proteins. Membrane protein in the cell membrane is several times larger than the lipid
molecule, but lipid molecules are 50 times more than protein molecules. The ratio is not
absolute and varies from membrane to membrane
Phospholipid Bilayer
The fundamental building block of cell membrane is the phospholipid which is an

amphipathic molecule, consisting of both hydrophobic and hydrophilic regions. The
hydrophilic or “water loving” (polar) region is the globular head containing phosphate
group; the hydrophobic or “water-fearing” (nonpolar) regions are their fatty acid tails. The
membrane lipids are organized into a continuous bilayer in which the hydrophobic regions of the
phospholipids are shielded from the aqueous environment since it is poorly soluble in water
and constitute a barrier impenetrable to almost all substances, while the hydrophilic regions
are exposed to high water content region. Proteins are found inserted into this lipid bilayer
and are classified into integral proteins and peripheral proteins.
General Biology 1_Q2 (Module 3) 1

It is also semi-permeable in nature, where it is impermeable to water-soluble molecule but
not to water. Approximately, the phospholipid to phospholipid thickness of the cell membrane is
about 5-10nm.
Protein
Protein, the second major component of the cell membrane is grouped into three distinct
classes depending on their relationship to the
lipid bilayer.
1. Integral proteins as their name suggests, integrated into the membrane proteins that
penetrate the lipid bilayer. They pass entirely through the lipid bilayer and protrude from
both the extracellular and cytoplasmic sides of the cell membrane.
2. Peripheral proteins are membrane proteins that are associated with-in the surface of the cell
membrane and found either on the cytoplasmic or extracellular side. Unlike integral protein,
they do not stick into the hydrophobic core of the membrane and they tend to be more loosely
attached.
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are the third major component of the cell membrane. In general, they are
found on the outside surface of the cells and are bound either in protein forming glycoproteins or
to lipids forming glycolipids. These carbohydrates may consist of 2-60 monosaccharide units and
can either be straight or branched.
The Fluid Mosaic Model
The fluid mosaic model describes the cell membrane as several molecules
(phospholipid, cholesterol and proteins) that are constantly moving. This movement helps the
cell membrane maintains its role as a barrier between the inside and outside of the cell
environment.
The fluidity of a cell membrane depends on the lipid composition of the membrane,
the density of integral proteins, and the temperature. The fatty acids and cholesterol play an
important role in the fluidity of the cell membrane.

Role of Fatty Acids
The structure of the fatty acid tails of the phospholipid is important in determining how
fluid is the membrane. Saturated fatty acids have no double bonds, so they are relatively
straight while unsaturated fatty acids contain one or more double bond, often resulting in a
bend or kink.
A long chain of saturated fatty acids have greater interactions among themselves
making the cell membrane stiffer. While more unsaturated fatty acids in the lipid tails make
the membrane becomes less tightly packed resulting to the increase of the cell membrane
fluidity. Thus, at cooler temperature the straight tails of saturated fatty acids can pack tightly
together, making a dense and fairly rigid cell membrane while unsaturated fatty acid tails cannot
pack together as tightly because of the bent structure of the tails making the cell membrane to
stay fluid at lower temperature.
The number of cholesterol molecules in the membrane can be as high as the number of
phospholipids. A high amount of cholesterol in the phospholipid bilayer makes the cell
membrane remains fluid. While having a high density of integral proteins makes the cell
membrane have less fluid.
The Importance of Membrane Fluidity
Membrane ﬂuidity provides a perfect compromise between a rigid structure which
makes mobility absent and a completely fluid where mechanical support would be
lacking. It also allows interactions to take place within the membrane. Because of membrane
ﬂuidity, molecules that interact can come together, carry out the necessary reaction, and move
apart. Basic cellular processes, including cell movement, cell growth, cell division, formation of
intercellular junctions, secretion, and endocytosis, depend on the fluidity of the cell membrane.


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SELF-LEARNING MODULE (SLM)

II. SUBJECT MATTER

III. LEARNING RESOURCES

The Cell Membrane

Cell Membrane (also known as plasma membrane)

The Structural Component of the Cell Membrane

The fundamental building block of cell membrane is the phospholipid which is an

General Biology 1_Q2 (Module 3) 1

General Biology 1_Q2 (Module 3) 2

General Biology 1_Q2 (Module 3) 3

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