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Related Concept Videos

Membrane Fluidity01:26

Membrane Fluidity

Membrane fluidity is explained by the fluid mosaic model of the cell membrane, which describes the plasma membrane structure as a mosaic of components—including phospholipids, cholesterol, proteins, and carbohydrates—that gives the membrane a fluid character.
Mosaic nature of the membrane
The mosaic characteristic of the membrane helps the plasma membrane remain fluid. The integral proteins and lipids exist as separate but loosely-attached molecules in the membrane. The membrane is a relatively...
Membrane Fluidity01:23

Membrane Fluidity

Cell membranes are composed of phospholipids, proteins, and carbohydrates loosely attached to one another through chemical interactions. Molecules are generally able to move about in the plane of the membrane, giving the membrane its flexible nature called fluidity. Two other features of the membrane contribute to membrane fluidity: the chemical structure of the phospholipids and the presence of cholesterol in the membrane.Fatty acids tails of phospholipids can be either saturated or...
Fluid Mosaic Model01:19

Fluid Mosaic Model

Scientists identified the plasma membrane in the 1890s and its principal chemical components (lipids and proteins) by 1915. The model for plasma membrane structure, proposed in 1935 by Hugh Davson and James Danielli, was the first model to be widely accepted in the scientific community. The model was based on the plasma membrane's "railroad track" appearance in early electron micrographs. Davson and Danielli theorized that the plasma membrane's structure resembled a sandwich with the analogy of...
Mechanisms of Membrane Domain Formation00:59

Mechanisms of Membrane Domain Formation

Different physical properties of lipids and proteins allow them to localize and form distinct islands or domains in the membrane. Some membrane domains are formed due to protein-protein interactions, whereas others are formed due to the presence of specific lipids such as sphingolipids and sterols—for example, large proteins, such as bacteriorhodopsin, aggregate and create distinct domains.
Another mechanism for membrane domain formation involves membrane proteins interacting with cytoskeletal...
Structure of Lipids03:38

Structure of Lipids

Lipids include a diverse group of compounds that are largely nonpolar in nature. This is because they are hydrocarbons that include mostly nonpolar carbon-carbon or carbon-hydrogen bonds. Non-polar molecules are hydrophobic (“water fearing”), or insoluble in water. Lipids perform many different functions in a cell. Cells store energy for long-term use in the form of fats. Lipids also provide insulation from the environment for plants and animals. For example, they help keep aquatic birds and...
Structure of Lipids03:38

Structure of Lipids

Lipids include a diverse group of compounds that are largely nonpolar in nature. This is because they are hydrocarbons that include mostly nonpolar carbon-carbon or carbon-hydrogen bonds. Non-polar molecules are hydrophobic (“water fearing”), or insoluble in water. Lipids perform many different functions in a cell. Cells store energy for long-term use in the form of fats. Lipids also provide insulation from the environment for plants and animals. For example, they help keep aquatic birds and...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 25, 2026

Realistic Membrane Modeling Using Complex Lipid Mixtures in Simulation Studies
07:31

Realistic Membrane Modeling Using Complex Lipid Mixtures in Simulation Studies

Published on: September 1, 2023

Dynamic structure factors from lipid membrane molecular dynamics simulations.

Erik G Brandt1, Olle Edholm

  • 1Theoretical Biological Physics, Department of Theoretical Physics, Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), AlbaNova University Center, Stockholm, Sweden.

Biophysical Journal
|March 4, 2009
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Molecular dynamics simulations reveal new details about lipid bilayer dynamics. This study enhances understanding of thermal diffusivity and sound velocity in lipid membranes.

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Neutron Spin Echo Spectroscopy as a Unique Probe for Lipid Membrane Dynamics and Membrane-Protein Interactions
10:02

Neutron Spin Echo Spectroscopy as a Unique Probe for Lipid Membrane Dynamics and Membrane-Protein Interactions

Published on: May 27, 2021

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 25, 2026

Realistic Membrane Modeling Using Complex Lipid Mixtures in Simulation Studies
07:31

Realistic Membrane Modeling Using Complex Lipid Mixtures in Simulation Studies

Published on: September 1, 2023

Neutron Spin Echo Spectroscopy as a Unique Probe for Lipid Membrane Dynamics and Membrane-Protein Interactions
10:02

Neutron Spin Echo Spectroscopy as a Unique Probe for Lipid Membrane Dynamics and Membrane-Protein Interactions

Published on: May 27, 2021

Area of Science:

  • Biophysics
  • Materials Science
  • Computational Chemistry

Background:

  • Lipid bilayers are fundamental to cell membranes.
  • Understanding their dynamic structure is crucial for biological function.
  • Previous models had limitations in resolving spectral details.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To calculate dynamic structure factors for a lipid bilayer using molecular dynamics.
  • To resolve Rayleigh and Brillouin lines with unprecedented detail.
  • To validate and improve existing hydrodynamic models.

Main Methods:

  • Performed molecular dynamics simulations of a 1024-lipid system.
  • Analyzed trajectories to obtain dynamic structure factors.
  • Resolved wave vectors down to 0.34 nm(-1) for high spectral resolution.

Main Results:

  • Confirmed the validity of generalized hydrodynamics models.
  • Improved accuracy in Rayleigh and Brillouin line widths and positions.
  • Identified two distinct relaxation processes contributing to elastic scattering.
  • Observed a linear dependence of Brillouin line width on low wave vectors.
  • Reported a 20% increase in adiabatic sound velocity with model correction.

Conclusions:

  • Molecular dynamics simulations provide high-resolution insights into lipid bilayer dynamics.
  • The study refines generalized hydrodynamics models for lipid membranes.
  • New understanding of thermal diffusivity and acoustic properties is achieved.