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Related Concept Videos

Atomic Force Microscopy01:08

Atomic Force Microscopy

4.6K
Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is a type of scanning probe microscopy that can analyze topographic details of various specimens like ceramics, glass, polymers, and biological samples. AFM offers over 1000 times more resolution than the optical imaging system. Images generated from AFM are three-dimensional surface profiles, offering an advantage over the flat, two-dimensional images from other imaging techniques.
The AFM Probe
The probe is regarded as the heart of any AFM setup and comprises the...
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Studying the Cytoskeleton01:17

Studying the Cytoskeleton

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The cytoskeletal architecture can be studied using different microscopic and biochemical techniques. Electron microscopy was instrumental in discovering the cytoskeletal architecture around the 1960s, which allowed obtaining structural information at a high-resolution level. However, the sample preparation procedure often limits this ability in biological samples. Several protocols have been developed over the years to optimize sample preparation. In one of the protocols known as rotary...
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Membrane Fluidity01:23

Membrane Fluidity

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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.
177.1K
Membrane Fluidity01:26

Membrane Fluidity

17.1K
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...
17.1K
Fluid Mosaic Model01:19

Fluid Mosaic Model

18.5K
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...
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The Fluid Mosaic Model01:34

The Fluid Mosaic Model

181.7K
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: Feb 26, 2026

Atomic Force Microscopy Imaging and Force Spectroscopy of Supported Lipid Bilayers
10:15

Atomic Force Microscopy Imaging and Force Spectroscopy of Supported Lipid Bilayers

Published on: July 22, 2015

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The structure and function of cell membranes studied by atomic force microscopy.

Yan Shi1, Mingjun Cai1, Lulu Zhou2

  • 1State Key Laboratory of Electroanalytical Chemistry, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, 130022, China.

Seminars in Cell & Developmental Biology
|July 21, 2017
PubMed
Summary

Advanced single-molecule techniques like Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) are revolutionizing cell membrane research. These methods offer new insights into cell membrane structure, dynamics, and mechanical properties, resolving long-standing scientific debates.

Keywords:
Atomic force microscopyCell membraneMolecular recognition imaging microscopySingle molecule force spectroscopyStructure models of cell membranes

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Atomic Force Microscopy Cantilever-Based Nanoindentation: Mechanical Property Measurements at the Nanoscale in Air and Fluid
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Functionalization of Atomic Force Microscope Cantilevers with Single-T Cells or Single-Particle for Immunological Single-Cell Force Spectroscopy
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Atomic Force Microscopy Cantilever-Based Nanoindentation: Mechanical Property Measurements at the Nanoscale in Air and Fluid
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Functionalization of Atomic Force Microscope Cantilevers with Single-T Cells or Single-Particle for Immunological Single-Cell Force Spectroscopy
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Area of Science:

  • Biophysics
  • Cell Biology
  • Nanotechnology

Background:

  • Cell membranes are crucial for cellular communication but their in vivo detection has been challenging for over 50 years.
  • Debates on cell membrane biochemical composition and structure persist due to limitations in detection methods.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent advancements in Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) for cell membrane research.
  • To highlight novel insights into cell membrane structure, dynamic processes, and mechanical properties.

Main Methods:

  • Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM)
  • Single-Molecule Force Spectroscopy (SMFS)
  • Tethered Enzyme Activity (TREC) assays

Main Results:

  • AFM and related single-molecule techniques enable high-resolution imaging and manipulation of cell membranes.
  • New models for cell membrane structure and dynamics are emerging.
  • Understanding the mechanical properties of cell membranes is advancing.

Conclusions:

  • Single-molecule techniques, particularly AFM, are pivotal in advancing cell membrane research.
  • These methods provide unprecedented detail on cell membrane structure and function.
  • Further application of AFM promises to resolve key questions in cell biology.