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Membrane Fluidity

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.

Membrane Fluidity

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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 21, 2026

Fabricating Degradable Thermoresponsive Hydrogels on Multiple Length Scales via Reactive Extrusion, Microfluidics, Self-assembly, and Electrospinning

Fabricating Degradable Thermoresponsive Hydrogels on Multiple Length Scales via Reactive Extrusion, Microfluidics, Self-assembly, and Electrospinning

Published on: April 16, 2018

Core-shell-shell and hollow double-shell microgels with advanced temperature responsiveness.

Janine Dubbert¹, Katja Nothdurft, Matthias Karg

¹Institute of Physical Chemistry, Landoltweg 2, 52074, Aachen, Germany.

Macromolecular Rapid Communications

|October 31, 2014

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Researchers developed unique hollow microgels with two temperature-responsive polymer shells. These smart materials exhibit tunable properties for diverse applications, showing distinct volume phase transitions.

Keywords:

PNIPAM PNIPMAM capsules core-shell particles hollow spheres

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Last Updated: Apr 21, 2026

Fabricating Degradable Thermoresponsive Hydrogels on Multiple Length Scales via Reactive Extrusion, Microfluidics, Self-assembly, and Electrospinning

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Synthesis of PolyN-isopropylacrylamide Janus Microhydrogels for Anisotropic Thermo-responsiveness and Organophilic/Hydrophilic Loading Capability

Synthesis of PolyN-isopropylacrylamide Janus Microhydrogels for Anisotropic Thermo-responsiveness and Organophilic/Hydrophilic Loading Capability

Published on: February 27, 2016

Area of Science:

Polymer Science
Materials Science
Nanotechnology

Background:

Thermoresponsive polymers exhibit volume phase transitions with temperature changes.
Hollow microgels offer unique properties for encapsulation and controlled release.
Designing microgels with multiple responsive elements is challenging.

Purpose of the Study:

To synthesize and characterize novel doubly temperature-responsive hollow microgels.
To investigate the influence of a core-shell structure on the thermoresponsive behavior.
To demonstrate the potential of these hollow microgels as multifunctional smart materials.

Main Methods:

Synthesis of silica-PNIPAM-PNIPMAM core-shell-shell (CSS) particles.
Dissolution of the silica core to create hollow particles.
Light scattering measurements to analyze volume phase transitions.

Main Results:

Successfully created hollow microgels with two distinct thermoresponsive shells (PNIPAM and PNIPMAM).
Observed a twofold volume phase transition behavior in both CSS and hollow particles.
Demonstrated that core dissolution significantly enhances the inner shell's transition responsiveness.

Conclusions:

The developed method provides a versatile route to multifunctional hollow microgels.
These microgels exhibit tunable properties due to their dual thermoresponsive nature.
The materials hold promise for advanced applications requiring smart, responsive systems.