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Related Concept Videos

Membrane Domains01:18

Membrane Domains

The membrane domains concentrate specific lipids and proteins at one place within the membrane, which helps in cell signaling, adhesion, and other critical cellular processes. These domains can differ in size, composition, function, and lifespan.
Protein Domains
The membrane comprises a group of distinct proteins responsible for carrying out a cell's specific function. For example, the plasma membrane of the human sperm, or a single germ cell, contains a unique set of proteins in the anterior...
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.
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...
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...
The Fluid Mosaic Model01:34

The Fluid Mosaic Model

The fluid mosaic model was first proposed as a visual representation of research observations. The model comprises the composition and dynamics of membranes and serves as a foundation for future membrane-related studies. The model depicts the structure of the plasma membrane with a variety of components, which include phospholipids, proteins, and carbohydrates. These integral molecules are loosely bound, defining the cell’s border and providing fluidity for optimal function.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 13, 2026

Determining Membrane Protein Topology Using Fluorescence Protease Protection (FPP)
08:14

Determining Membrane Protein Topology Using Fluorescence Protease Protection (FPP)

Published on: April 20, 2015

Consequences of membrane topography.

Ingela Parmryd1, Björn Onfelt

  • 1Department of Medical Cell Biology, Uppsala University, Sweden. ingela.parmryd@mcb.uu.se

The FEBS Journal
|February 27, 2013
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Mammalian cells possess excess plasma membrane, enabling migration and shape changes. Researchers emphasize considering cell surface topography to avoid misinterpreting microscopy data.

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Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Biophysics

Background:

  • Mammalian cells exhibit a non-smooth surface with excess plasma membrane beyond their basic shape requirements.
  • This membrane excess is crucial for cellular functions like migration, shape alteration, and potentially signal transduction.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To discuss the biological significance of excess plasma membrane in mammalian cells.
  • To evaluate methods for studying membrane folding and topography.
  • To highlight the impact of ignoring membrane topography on data interpretation and suggest solutions.

Main Methods:

  • Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM)
  • Scanning Ion Conductance Microscopy (SICM)
  • Fluorescence Polarization Microscopy
  • Linear Dichroism

Main Results:

  • Cellular membrane topography is often overlooked in microscopy data analysis.
  • Ignoring membrane folding can lead to misconceptions in areas such as colocalization, membrane organization, and molecular clustering.
  • Deviations from a smooth surface (topography) should be considered as a potential cause for anomalous data.

Conclusions:

  • Cell surface topography significantly influences cellular functions and data interpretation.
  • Standard microscopy techniques should account for membrane folding and deviations from a smooth surface.
  • Occam's razor principle suggests ruling out topography as a cause of anomalous data before considering complex explanations.