SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

Gen.Bio1
Quarter 1 – Module 5:
Title: Structural Components of
the Cell Membrane
Science – Grade 12
Alternative Delivery Mode
Quarter 1 – Module 1: Title
First Edition, 2020

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Gen.Bio1
Quarter 1 – Module 5:
Structural Components of the
Cell Membrane
Introductory Message
For the facilitator:

Welcome to the General Biology 12 Alternative Delivery Mode (ADM) Module

on Structural Components of the Cell Membrane!

This module was collaboratively designed, developed and reviewed by educators

both from public and private institutions to assist you, the teacher or facilitator in
helping the learners meet the standards set by the K to 12 Curriculum while
overcoming their personal, social, and economic constraints in schooling.

This learning resource hopes to engage the learners into guided and independent
learning activities at their own pace and time. Furthermore, this also aims to help
learners acquire the needed 21st century skills while taking into consideration
their needs and circumstances.

In addition to the material in the main text, you will also see this box in the body of
the module:

Notes to the Teacher

This contains helpful tips or strategies
that will help you in guiding the learners.

As a facilitator you are expected to orient the learners on how to use this module.
You also need to keep track of the learners' progress while allowing them to
manage their own learning. Furthermore, you are expected to encourage and assist
the learners as they do the tasks included in the module.

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For the learner:

Welcome to the Mathematics 7 Alternative Delivery Mode (ADM) Module on

Structural Components of the Cell Membrane!

The hand is one of the most symbolized part of the human body. It is often used to
depict skill, action and purpose. Through our hands we may learn, create and
accomplish. Hence, the hand in this learning resource signifies that you as a
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competencies and skills at your own pace and time. Your academic success lies in
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This module was designed to provide you with fun and meaningful opportunities
for guided and independent learning at your own pace and time. You will be
enabled to process the contents of the learning resource while being an active
learner.

This module has the following parts and corresponding icons:

What I Need to Know This will give you an idea of the skills or
competencies you are expected to learn in
the module.

What I Know This part includes an activity that aims to

check what you already know about the
lesson to take. If you get all the answers
correct (100%), you may decide to skip this
module.

What’s In This is a brief drill or review to help you link

the current lesson with the previous one.

What’s New In this portion, the new lesson will be

introduced to you in various ways such as a
story, a song, a poem, a problem opener, an
activity or a situation.

What is It This section provides a brief discussion of

the lesson. This aims to help you discover
and understand new concepts and skills.

What’s More This comprises activities for independent

practice to solidify your understanding and
skills of the topic. You may check the
answers to the exercises using the Answer
Key at the end of the module.

What I Have Learned This includes questions or blank

sentence/paragraph to be filled in to
process what you learned from the lesson.

What I Can Do This section provides an activity which will

help you transfer your new knowledge or

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 skill into real life situations or concerns.

Assessment This is a task which aims to evaluate your

level of mastery in achieving the learning
competency.

Additional Activities In this portion, another activity will be given

to you to enrich your knowledge or skill of
the lesson learned. This also tends retention
of learned concepts.

Answer Key This contains answers to all activities in the

module.

At the end of this module you will also find:

References This is a list of all sources used in

developing this module.

The following are some reminders in using this module:

1. Use the module with care. Do not put unnecessary mark/s on any part of
the module. Use a separate sheet of paper in answering the exercises.
2. Don’t forget to answer What I Know before moving on to the other activities
included in the module.
3. Read the instruction carefully before doing each task.
4. Observe honesty and integrity in doing the tasks and checking your
answers.
5. Finish the task at hand before proceeding to the next.
6. Return this module to your teacher/facilitator once you are through with it.
If you encounter any difficulty in answering the tasks in this module, do not
hesitate to consult your teacher or facilitator. Always bear in mind that you are
not alone.

We hope that through this material, you will experience meaningful learning
and gain deep understanding of the relevant competencies. You can do it!

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 What I Need to Know

This module was designed and written with you in mind. It is here to help
you master the structural components of the cell membrane. The scope of this
module permits it to be used in many different learning situations. The language
used recognizes the diverse vocabulary level of students. The lessons are arranged
to follow the standard sequence of the course. But the order in which you read
them can be changed to correspond with the textbook you are now using.

After going through this module, you are expected to:

1. identify the three major constituents of the cell membrane;

2. distinguish the different composition of the cell membrane;
3. explain the importance of the structural components of the cell membrane;
4. explain how the arrangement of molecules provides fluidity to the cell;

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 What I Know

Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the chosen letter on a separate sheet of
paper.

1. All of the following best describe a cell membrane EXCEPT.

a. It regulate what enters and leaves the cell
b. It fight bacteria and viruses that enters the cell
c. It provide rigid support and protection to the cell
d. It make sure that each cell can move

2. The phospholipid bilayer of the cell membrane is said to be “amphipathic” in

nature. What does amphipathic mean?
a. Having hydrophobic part
b. Having hydrophilic part
c. Having both hydrophobic and hydrophilic parts
d. Having more than one molecule

3. What type of cell membrane protein regulates the movement of hydrophilic

molecules through membrane?
a. Transport protein
b. Receptor protein
c. Recognition protein
d. All of the above

4. What molecules play an important role in controlling cell membrane fluidity?

a. phospholipid
b. cholesterol
c. membrane protein
d. glycoprotein

5. What is a fluid mosaic model?

a. Organization of the cell membrane
b. Allows substance to pass through cell membrane
c. Maintain balance in a cells survival
d. The phospholipid bilayer

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Lesson
The Structural Component
1 of the Cell Membrane

You might think that the outer covering of a living cell is made up of an
equally tough and impenetrable barrier because it must protect its delicate internal
contents from the different unwanted materials from the outside environment. But
cells are separated from the outside environment by a thin, fragile structure called
the cell membrane that is only 5 to 10 nm wide. It is not just a simple border of the
cell, but it also allows the cell to interact with its environment in a controlled way.

What’s In

FACT or BLUFF

Direction Tell whether if the following information about the cell membrane
during cell division is a fact or bluff.

1. The cell membrane disintegrates during the late phase of mitosis.

2. Cytokinesis, the division of the cytoplasm, happen both in plant
and animal cells does not involve the cell membrane.
3. Cytokinesis in animal cells starts with the constriction in the cell
membrane during late anaphase or early telophase.
4. The cell membrane forms and create cleavage furrow that grows
deeper between the two cells until they pinch off and separate to
form two separate daughter cells.
5. In plant cells, cytokinesis involves the formation and insertion of a
new cell membrane that separate daughter nuclei after mitosis.

Notes to the Teacher

In this module, the students will do every task as required.
Students are given the opportunity to think and design for
themselves on how to undertake each activity. It is hoped that
this module help the students in the effort of considering their
individual learning style.

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 What’s New

Identify the different components of the cell membrane using the description
given below. Use the appropriate number to locate each molecule.

1. Carbohydrate chain – 2 or more monosaccharide unit, either

attached or branched found on the outside surface of the cell
membrane.
2. Cholesterol – found between the hydrophobic tails of the membrane
phospholipid.
3. Glycolipid – carbohydrates attached to a lipid molecule.
4. Glycoprotein – carbohydrates attached to a protein molecule.
5. Integral Protein – protein embedded in the phospholipid bilayer that
extend in both layers of the membrane.
6. Lipid Tail – the hydrophobic tail of the phospholipid facing the core of
the membrane.
7. Peripheral Protein – protein found in the inner or outer surface of the
membrane but not embedded on hydrophobic core.
8. Phosphate Head – globular hydrophilic head of the membrane.

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 What is It

The Cell Membrane

Cell Membrane (also known as plasma membrane) is a physical and
chemical barrier which separates the inside and outside of the cell providing fixed
environment inside the cell. It is a bilayer of lipid with embedded proteins, in which
the proteins and lipids.

Figure 1. The cell membrane

The Structural Component of the Cell Membrane

The cell membrane is composed of three main components: lipids, proteins,

and carbohydrates. The ratio of lipids and proteins in the cell membrane is 1:1 or
50% lipids and 50% proteins. Membrane protein in the cell membrane is several
times larger than the lipid molecule, but lipid molecules are 50 times more than
protein molecules. The ratio is not absolute and varies from membrane to
membrane

Phospholipid Bilayer
The fundamental building block of cell membrane is the phospholipid which
is an amphipathic molecule, consisting of both hydrophobic and hydrophilic
regions. The hydrophilic or “water loving” (polar) region is the globular head
containing phosphate group; the hydrophobic or “water-fearing” (nonpolar) regions
are their fatty acid tails. The membrane lipids are organized into a continuous
bilayer in which the hydrophobic regions of the phospholipids are shielded from the
aqueous environment since it is poorly soluble in water and constitute a barrier
impenetrable to almost all substances, while the hydrophilic regions are exposed to
high water content region. Proteins are found inserted into this lipid bilayer and are
classified into integral proteins and peripheral proteins.

Figure 2. The Phospholipid Bilayer Figure 3. The Amphipathic nature of the phospholipid

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 It is also semi-permeable in nature, where it is impermeable to water-soluble
molecule but not to water. Approximately, the phospholipid to phospholipid
thickness of the cell membrane is about 5-10nm.

Protein
Protein, the second major component of the cell membrane is grouped into
three distinct classes depending on their relationship to the lipid bilayer.

Figure 4. The Membrane Proteins

1. Integral proteins as their name suggests, integrated into the membrane

proteins that penetrate the lipid bilayer. They pass entirely through the
lipid bilayer and protrude from both the extracellular and cytoplasmic
sides of the cell membrane.

2. Peripheral proteins are membrane proteins that are associated within

the surface of the cell membrane and found either on the cytoplasmic or
extracellular side. Unlike integral protein, they do not stick into the
hydrophobic core of the membrane and they tend to be more loosely
attached.

Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are the third major component of the cell membrane. In
general, they are found on the outside surface of the cells and are bound either in
protein forming glycoproteins or to lipids forming glycolipids. These carbohydrates
may consist of 2-60 monosaccharide units and can either be straight or branched.

The Fluid Mosaic Model

The fluid mosaic model describes the cell membrane as several molecules
(phospholipid, cholesterol and proteins) that are constantly moving. This movement
helps the cell membrane maintains its role as a barrier between the inside and
outside of the cell environment.

The fluidity of a cell membrane depends on the lipid composition of the

membrane, the density of integral proteins, and the temperature. The fatty
acids and cholesterol play an important role in the fluidity of the cell membrane.

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 Figure 5. The Fluid Mosaic Model

Role of Fatty Acids

The structure of the fatty acid tails of the phospholipid is important in
determining how fluid is the membrane. Saturated fatty acids have no double
bonds, so they are relatively straight while unsaturated fatty acids contain one or
more double bond, often resulting in a bend or kink.

A long chain of saturated fatty acids have greater interactions among

themselves making the cell membrane stiffer. While more unsaturated fatty acids
in the lipid tails make the membrane becomes less tightly packed resulting to the
increase of the cell membrane fluidity. Thus, at cooler temperature the straight
tails of saturated fatty acids can pack tightly together, making a dense and fairly
rigid cell membrane while unsaturated fatty acid tails cannot pack together as
tightly because of the bent structure of the tails making the cell membrane to stay
fluid at lower temperature.

Role of Cholesterol
The presence of cholesterol in the membrane makes it possible for the cell
membrane to maintain its fluidity across a wide range of temperatures. It helps to
minimize the effects of temperature on fluidity. At low temperature, cholesterol
increases the fluidity by keeping the phospholipids from packing tightly together
while at high temperature, it reduces fluidity. In this way, cholesterol expands the
range of the temperatures at which a membrane maintains a functional healthy
fluidity.

The number of cholesterol molecules in the membrane can be as high as the

number of phospholipids. A high amount of cholesterol in the phospholipid bilayer

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makes the cell membrane remains fluid. While having a high density of integral
proteins makes the cell membrane have less fluid.

The Importance of Membrane Fluidity

Membrane fluidity provides a perfect compromise between a rigid structure
which makes mobility absent and a completely fluid where mechanical support
would be lacking. It also allows interactions to take place within the membrane.
Because of membrane fluidity, molecules that interact can come together, carry out
the necessary reaction, and move apart.
Basic cellular processes, including cell movement, cell growth, cell division,
formation of intercellular junctions, secretion, and endocytosis, depend on the
fluidity of the cell membrane.

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 What’s More

Direction: Answer the following questions.

Q1. How is phospholipid arranged in the cell membrane?

___________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

Q2. How does the arrangement of different structural components the cell
membrane contribute to its fluidity?
___________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________

Q3. Aside from cell membrane, where else can you find a bilayer of lipid?
___________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

What I Have Learned

1. The Cell Membrane

__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

2. Amphipathic molecule is
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

3. The different membrane proteins in the phospholipid bilayer are

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 ___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

4. Glycoproteins are
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

5. The fluidity of the cell membrane helps

___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

6. Saturated fatty acids and unsaturated fatty acids

___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

7. Cholesterol makes it possible for the cell membrane to

___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

What I Can Do

Building a Structure
Make a fluid mosaic model of the cell membrane using recyclable and
indigenous materials.
RUBRICS:

Criteria 4 3 2 1

Scientific Explanation Explanation Explanation Explanation

Knowledge indicates a indicates an indicates a illustrate a
clear and accurate relative little
accurate understanding accurate understanding
understanding of the scientific understanding of the scientific

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 of the scientific principles. of the scientific principles.
principles. principles.

Fluidity 3-D model is 3-D model is 3-D model is 3-D model is

very creative, creative, creative, somehow
accurate and mostly somewhat creative, less
all molecules accurate and accurate and accurate and
are clearly molecules are molecules are molecules are
labeled. clearly labeled. labeled. labeled.

Construction- Appropriate Appropriate Appropriate Appropriate

Materials recyclables recyclables recyclables recyclables
and and and and
indigenous indigenous indigenous indigenous
materials were materials were materials were materials are
selected and selected and selected and selected.
creatively modified in there was an
modified in ways that attempt at
ways that made them creative
made them even better. modification to
even better. make them
even better.

Over-all Great care Construction Construction Construction

Appearance taken in is careful and is but could appear
construction accurate . have been careless and
process so that refined for many details
the structure more attractive need
is neat, product. refinement.
attractive and
accurate.

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 Assessment

Multiple Choice. Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the chosen letter on a
separate sheet of paper.
1. Which biomolecule is not found in the cell membrane?
a. lipid
b. protein
c. carbohydrate
d. nucleic acid

2. Which of the following is not a characteristic of the cell membrane?

a. Selectively permeable
b. Made up of lipid layer
c. Amphipathic in nature
d. Physical and chemical barrier which separates the inside and outside
of the cell.

3. The proportion of lipids and proteins in the cell membrane is almost always
50:50 or 1:1. This statement is
a. Correct
b. Incorrect
c. Almost always correct
d. Neither correct or incorrect

4. The molecules that play an important role in controlling cell membrane

fluidity is _________.
a. phospholipid
b. cholesterol
c. membrane protein
d. glycoprotein

5. What type of biomolecule is attached to the external side of the

membrane protein?
a. Protein
b. Carbohydrate
c. Lipid
d. Nucleic acid

6. It is the fundamental building block of cell membrane?

a. phospholipid
b. protein
c. carbohydrate
d. integral protein

7. It is a trans membrane protein that pass entirely through the lipid bilayer
and protrude from both the extracellular and cytoplasmic sides of the
membrane.

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 a. glycoprotein
b. integral protein
c. peripheral protein
d. lipoprotein

8. All of the following statement describe the hydrophilic nature of

globular head of the phospholipid bilayer EXCEPT?
a. Water-loving
b. Polar molecule
c. Exposed in high water content region
d. Poorly soluble in water

9. Carbohydrates that are found on the outside surface of the cells and are
bound to protein molecule is called ________.
a. Integral protein
b. Peripheral protein
c. glycoprotein
d. transmembrane protein

10. All of the following describe a peripheral protein EXCEPT.

a. does not stick into the hydrophobic core of the membrane
b. situated within the bilayer.
c. located on either the cytoplasmic or extracellular side
d. tend to be more loosely attached

11. The fluid mosaic model describes parts of the cell membrane
such as proteins and phospholipids as ____________.
a. Floating laterally throughout the space
b. Tethered to one place in the membrane
c. As existing only on the cytoplasmic side of the cell
d. Hydrophobic and hydrophilic molecule.

12.Which statement best describes how cholesterol affects cell membrane

fluidity?
a. Cholesterol increases fluidity at high temperature and decreases
fluidity at low temperature.
b. Cholesterol increases fluidity at high temperature and increases
fluidity at low temperature.
c. Cholesterol decreases fluidity at high temperature and decreases
fluidity at low temperature.
d. Cholesterol decreases fluidity at high temperature and increases
fluidity at low temperature.

13.What molecules play an important role in controlling cell membrane fluidity?

a. phospholipid
b. cholesterol
c. membrane protein
d. glycoprotein

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14.What is a fluid mosaic model?
a. Organization of the cell membrane
b. Allows substance to pass through cell membrane
c. Maintain balance in a cells survival
d. The phospholipid bilayer

15.All of the following statement about cell membrane fluidity are correct
EXCEPT.

a. Membrane fluidity allows for interactions to take place within the

membrane.
b. Membrane fluidity makes it possible for clusters of membrane
proteins to assemble at particular sites.
c. Because of membrane fluidity, molecules that interact can come
together, carry out the necessary reaction, and move apart.
d. The fluidity of the cell membrane helps maintains its role as a rigid
barrier between the inside and outside of the cell environment.

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References
Balardo, G. Et. Al., (2017). General BiologyTextBook:1 st Edition.

Raven, Johnson Et. Al., Biology:9th Edition

https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-biology/chapter/components-and-
structures accessed on May 8, 2020

https://www.researchgate
.net/publication/270471067_Structure_Function_of_Biological_Membrane_The_Im
pact_of_Nanoparticles accessed on May 8, 2020

https://biologydictionary.net/plasma-membrane/ accessed on May 9, 2020

https://www.khanacademyorg/science/hig-school-biology/hs-cell/hs-the-cell-
membrane/a/structure-of-the-plasma-membrane accessed on May 13, 2020

https://www.microscopemaster.com/plasma-membrane.html accessed on May 13,

2020

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