Question

One of the central principles of Biology is the relationship between structure and function. Discuss structure/function relationship in biological membranes. Describe what they are made of, what are their functions and use examples to make the link between structure and function. Emphasis should be placed on aspects of membrane permeability

Answer 1

ANS -Biological membrane is a membrane or a boundary that enclosed the cell organelles from the surrounding medium and acts as a selectively permeable barrier within living things. that only allows selective molecules across the membrane according to cell requirement.

Composition of biological membrane.

• The membrane is composed of lipids with hydrophobic tails and hydrophilic heads., proteins, carbohydrates. The carbohydrate molecules in the membrane are attached to protein forming glycoproteins or with lipid forming glycolipids.

Relation between structure and function of membrane.

• Functions of biological membrane related withs its structure-

1. The phospholipid membrane is semipermeable in nature which selectively allows the molecules in the cell, they keep toxic substances out of the cell.
2. The membrane structure has specific molecules on its surface which only allows the specific molecules inside the cell such as ions, nutrients.
3. To maintain the fluidity of a membrane during winters the membrane increase in unsaturated fat preventing the cell from dying.
4. They separate vital but incompatible metabolic processes conducted with organelles.