Give the biochemical composition of plasma membrane. How are lipid molecules arranged in the membrane?
Ans. Chemical composition of the plasma membrane can be summed up like 20-79% lipids, 20-70% proteins, 1-5% carbohydrates and 20% water.
Lipids are one of the major components that form the plasma membrane. The lipid molecules contain polar hydrophilic (water-loving), and non-polar hydrophobic (water resisting) ends. Hydrophilic part forms the head of the molecule and the hydrophobic part forms two tails of the molecule.
The tails are found near the centre of the membrane.