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Related Concept Videos

Aquaporins01:25

Aquaporins

Aquaporins or AQPs are a family of integral membrane proteins whose primary function is to transport water, while some called aquaglyceroporins also transport glycerol. In addition, aquaporins have also been suspected to be involved in transporting volatile substances, such as carbon dioxide and ammonia, across membranes. Such AQPs that act as gas channels are often highly expressed in cells involved in the gaseous exchange, such as red blood cells, epithelial cells, and pulmonary capillaries.
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...
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...
SNAREs and Membrane Fusion01:43

SNAREs and Membrane Fusion

Once a transport vesicle has recognized its target organelle, the vesicular membrane needs to fuse with the target membrane to unload the cargo. Transmembrane proteins called SNAREs present on organelle membranes and their vesicles, mediate vesicle fusion.
SNAREs exist in pairs that symmetrically interact and catalyze the fusion of the lipid bilayers in vesicle and target organelle. v-SNARE in the vesicle membrane are single polypeptide chains that bind to a complementary t-SNARE, composed of 2...
Intermolecular Forces03:13

Intermolecular Forces

Atoms and molecules interact through bonds (or forces): intramolecular and intermolecular. The forces are electrostatic as they arise from interactions (attractive or repulsive) between charged species (permanent, partial, or temporary charges) and exist with varying strengths between ions, polar, nonpolar, and neutral molecules. The different types of intermolecular forces are ion–dipole, dipole–dipole, hydrogen bonds, and dispersion; among these, dipole–dipole, hydrogen bonds, and dispersion...
Mechanisms of Membrane-bending01:15

Mechanisms of Membrane-bending

The living membranes are flexible due to their fluid mosaic nature; however, their bending into different shapes is an active process regulated by specific lipids and proteins. The membrane bending can be transient as seen in vesicles or stable for a long time as in microvilli. Cells regulate the size, location, and duration of the membrane curvature.
Membrane bending can happen due to intrinsic changes in lipid composition or extrinsic association with different proteins. The proteins involved...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 4, 2026

Proof-of-Concept for Gas-Entrapping Membranes Derived from Water-Loving SiO2/Si/SiO2 Wafers for Green Desalination
09:39

Proof-of-Concept for Gas-Entrapping Membranes Derived from Water-Loving SiO2/Si/SiO2 Wafers for Green Desalination

Published on: March 1, 2020

Water ordering at membrane interfaces controls fusion dynamics.

Peter M Kasson1, Erik Lindahl, Vijay S Pande

  • 1Department of Molecular Physiology and Biological Physics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22903, United States.

Journal of the American Chemical Society
|March 1, 2011
PubMed
Summary

Detailed simulations reveal that water

Area of Science:

  • Biophysics
  • Computational Biology
  • Materials Science

Background:

  • Membrane interfaces are crucial for cellular functions, but their complex composition complicates understanding fundamental interaction physics.
  • While water's role in small biological systems is known, its molecular detail was often considered negligible for large membrane interfaces.
  • Spectroscopic data suggest ordered water behavior near membrane surfaces, questioning previous assumptions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the significance of chemical detail, specifically water's molecular structure, in membrane fusion and interfaces.
  • To explore the role of water in membrane dynamics using atomic-resolution simulations.

Main Methods:

  • Conducted atomic-resolution simulations of vesicle fusion.

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Unraveling Entropic Rate Acceleration Induced by Solvent Dynamics in Membrane Enzymes
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Unraveling Entropic Rate Acceleration Induced by Solvent Dynamics in Membrane Enzymes

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Probing the Structure and Dynamics of Interfacial Water with Scanning Tunneling Microscopy and Spectroscopy
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Probing the Structure and Dynamics of Interfacial Water with Scanning Tunneling Microscopy and Spectroscopy

Published on: May 27, 2018

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 4, 2026

Proof-of-Concept for Gas-Entrapping Membranes Derived from Water-Loving SiO2/Si/SiO2 Wafers for Green Desalination
09:39

Proof-of-Concept for Gas-Entrapping Membranes Derived from Water-Loving SiO2/Si/SiO2 Wafers for Green Desalination

Published on: March 1, 2020

Unraveling Entropic Rate Acceleration Induced by Solvent Dynamics in Membrane Enzymes
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Unraveling Entropic Rate Acceleration Induced by Solvent Dynamics in Membrane Enzymes

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Probing the Structure and Dynamics of Interfacial Water with Scanning Tunneling Microscopy and Spectroscopy
10:28

Probing the Structure and Dynamics of Interfacial Water with Scanning Tunneling Microscopy and Spectroscopy

Published on: May 27, 2018

  • Analyzed water behavior at membrane interfaces under hydrophilic confinement.

    • Main Results:

    • Atomic-resolution simulations provided insights into membrane fusion dynamics.
    • Observed distinct, non-bulk-like water behavior at membrane interfaces due to hydrophilic confinement.
    • Highlighted the importance of water's chemical nature in membrane interactions.

    Conclusions:

    • The molecular structure of water significantly influences membrane fusion and interface dynamics.
    • Hydrophilic confinement at membrane interfaces induces unique, non-bulk water properties.
    • Atomic-level detail, including water's chemical nature, is essential for accurately modeling membrane systems.