Common CM Attributes

Cell Membrane

• 1) Membranes are sheetlike structures only two molecules thick (60-100Ang)
• 2) Consist of lipids and proteins (some carbohydrates)
• 3) Membrane lipids are small molecules with hydrophobic/philic that bind spontaneously and are barriers to polar molecules
• 4) Specific proteins have distinct functions in membranes noted above
• 5) Membranes are noncovalent assemblies - held by noncovalent interactions
• 6) Membranes are asymmetric
• 7) Membranes are fluid structures
• 8) Most cell membranes are electrically polarized
  • Inside is negative = basic-ish
    • (?INQUIRY?) does that mean that carbohydrates are threatened by the base catalyzed reactions due to the assumed basicity inside the cell but it is probably INSIGNIFICANT basicity?