BIOL 1090 Chapter Notes - Chapter 8: Amphiphile, Hopanoids, Peripheral Membrane Protein

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Cells defined by membranes that physically separate cells from external environment: made primarily of lipids, but also contain proteins and carbohydrates. Cell membranes are composed of a lipid bilayer. Fatty acid tails are non-polar and hydrophobic; do not form hydrogen bonds with water. In aqueous environment, spontaneously arrange themselves into specific structure: hydrophilic head move to outside to interact with water and hydrophobic tail congregate on the inside away from water. Exact shape depends on how large the polar head is and how many fatty acids are attached. In phospholipids, head is slightly less bulky and is connected to two hydrophobic tail. Liposomes can form, break, and re-form in changing environmental conditions: can also incorporate more lipids and other molecules. Eventually liposomes evolved to selectively control traffic between environmental and cell interior: membranes likely formed from this process, and composition and function evolved. Extent of membrane fluidity depends on type of lipids in the membrane.

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