What model describes the structure of the plasma membrane as a phospholipid bilayer with embedded proteins?

The fluid mosaic model describes the plasma membrane as a dynamic and flexible structure composed of a phospholipid bilayer with various proteins embedded within it. In this model, the phospholipid molecules arrange themselves into a bilayer due to their hydrophobic tails facing inward and hydrophilic heads facing outward, creating a semi-permeable barrier. This bilayer is not static; it has the ability to flow like a liquid, allowing proteins, which can either span the membrane or be attached to its surfaces, to move and shift laterally.

This "mosaic" nature refers to the diverse array of proteins that are interspersed throughout the membrane, which can include transmembrane proteins, peripheral proteins, and glycoproteins, each playing roles in transport, signaling, and cell recognition. The model emphasizes that the membrane's components are in constant motion, contributing to its functionality and the adaptability of the cell.

Other models, such as the cell theory, focus on fundamental principles about cells being the basic units of life, while the endosymbiotic model explains the origin of certain organelles and their evolutionary significance. The phospholipid structure model may refer more specifically to the arrangement of phospholipids, but it does not encompass the full