Question

homeostasis, and reproduction
what is the plasma membrane made of? describe it in terms of the fluid mosaic model.

Explanation:

The plasma membrane is made of a phospholipid bilayer (with hydrophilic heads outward, hydrophobic tails inward), embedded and associated with proteins (integral, peripheral) and cholesterol. The fluid mosaic model describes it as a fluid structure (phospholipids and proteins can move laterally) with a mosaic of proteins (and other molecules) within the phospholipid bilayer. Lipids give fluidity, proteins have various functions (transport, signaling, etc.), and cholesterol helps maintain fluidity and stability.

Answer:

The plasma membrane is composed of a phospholipid bilayer (with hydrophilic heads facing outward and hydrophobic tails facing inward), embedded/associated with proteins (integral, peripheral), and cholesterol. The fluid mosaic model describes it as a fluid structure (phospholipids and most proteins move laterally) with a mosaic of proteins (and other molecules like cholesterol, glycolipids) distributed within the phospholipid bilayer. Lipids provide fluidity, proteins perform functions (e.g., transport, signaling), and cholesterol stabilizes fluidity.