GENRAL BIOLOGY 1

GRADE 11-STEM

Cell Membrane:
Structure and Function
Learner's Module in General Biology 1
Ist Quarter Week 5• Module 6

NAME:_ GRADE AND SECTION

TEACHER: SCORE _
 What I Need to Know
Welcome to this module on the CELL MEMBRANE, its STRUCTURE and
FUNCTION!
This module is intended to help you, learners, understand and master the concepts of
sets. It is designed to equip you with essential knowledge about the said topic and skills
on solving problems involving sets.

HOW TO USE THIS

ODULE
This module contains several lessons. To make the most out of them, you need to do the
following:
1. Scan the list of Learning Objectives to get an idea of the knowledge and skills you are
expected to gain and develop as you study the module. These outcomes are based on
the content standards, performance standards, and learning competencies of the K
to 12
Curriculum General
Biology 1.
2. Take the What I Know. Your score will determine your knowledge of the lessons in the
module. If you get 100% of the items correctly, you may proceed to the next
module.
Otherwise, you must go through the
lessons.
3. Each Lesson aims to develop one of the learning objectives set for the module. It
starts with
an activity that will help you understand the lesson and meet the required
competencies.
4. Take your time in reading this module. Write down points for clarification. You may
discuss these points with your teacher.
5. Perform all activities and answer all worksheets. The activities and
assessments are
designed to enhance your understanding of sets. The activities will also give you an idea
how well you understand the lessons. Review the lessons if necessary, until you have
achieved a satisfactory level of understanding.
6. At the end of the module, take the Post-Assessment to evaluate your overall
understanding
about the
lessons.

LEARNING
OBJECTIVES
At the end of the module, you should be
able 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
INSTRUCTION: This test covers the topics on the Cell Membrane and its
Structure and
Function. Write your answer in your notebook or on your answer sheet
(15pts)
1. Which of the following statements does not describe the functions of a
cell membrane?
A. It regulates what enters and leaves the cell
B. It fight bacteria and viruses that enters the cell
C. It provides rigid support and protection to the cell
D. It makes 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 a hydrophobic part
B. having a 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 the membrane?
A. Transport protein C. Recognition protein
B. Receptor protein D. All of the above
4. What molecules play an important role in controlling cell membrane fluidity?
A. Phospholipid C. Membrane protein
B. Cholesterol 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 cell’s survival
D. the phospholipid bilayer
6. Which biomolecule is not found in the cell membrane?
A. Lipid C. Carbohydrate
B. Protein D. Nucleic acid
7. Which of the following is not a characteristic of the cell membrane?
A. It is selectively permeable
B. It is made up of lipid layer
C. It is amphipathic in nature
D. It has a physical and chemical barrier which separates the inside and outside
of the cell.
8. What is the proportion of lipids and proteins in the cell membrane?
A. 50 : 50 B. 50 : 25 C.25 : 75 D. 80 : 20

9. What molecule play an important role in controlling cell membrane fluidity?

A. phospholipid C. membrane protein
B. cholesterol D. glycoprotein
10. What type of biomolecule is attached to the external side of the membrane protein?
A. Protein
B. Carbohydrate
C. Lipid
D. Nucleic acid

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11. Which of the following statements is incorrect regarding the cell membrane fluidity?
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.
12. The fluid mosaic model describes the 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 molecule13. Which statement best describes how
cholesterol affects cell membrane fluidity?
A. Cholesterol increases fluidity at high temperature but decreases fluidity at low
temperature.
B. Cholesterol increases fluidity both at high and low temperature.
C. Cholesterol decreases fluidity both at high and low temperature.
D. Cholesterol decreases fluidity at high temperature but increases fluidity at low
temperature.
14. Which biomolecule is not found in the cell membrane?
A. Lipid C. Carbohydrate
B. Protein D. Nucleic acid
15. What is the fundamental building block of cell membrane?
A. Carbohydrate
B. Phospholipid
C. Protein
D. Integral protein

What’s In
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.
Try to answer these 4pics1word images. Write your answers on your answer sheets)
 What are the words that you can decipher?
 What do you think is the connetion of those words to our topic “The Cell membrane:
Structure and Function”?

What’s New
The cell membrane is a special type of protection that provides what the cell needs
and protects it from harm, in this module, we will be discussing that makes the Cell
Membrane unique.

Activity 1
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Identify the different components of the cell membrane using the description given
below. Match the letter to the numbered part on the image. Write your answers on your
answer sheet.

A. Carbohydrate chain – 2 or more monosaccharide unit, either attached or branched

found on the outside surface of the cell membrane.
B. Cholesterol – found between the hydrophobic tails of the membrane phospholipid.
C. Glycolipid – carbohydrates attached to a lipid molecule.
D. Glycoprotein – carbohydrates attached to a protein molecule.
E. Integral Protein – protein embedded in the phospholipid bilayer that extend in both
layers of the membrane.
F. Lipid Tail – the hydrophobic tail of the phospholipid facing the core of the
membrane.
G. Peripheral Protein – protein found in the inner or outer surface of the membrane but
not embedded on hydrophobic core.
H. Phosphate Head – globular hydrophilic head of the membrane.
I. Phospholipid bilayer- consists of two layers of phospholipids, with a hydrophobic,
or water-hating, interior and a hydrophilic, or water-loving, exterior.
 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.
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
1. 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.

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.
2. Protein
Protein, the second major component of the cell membrane is grouped into
three distinct classes depending on their relationship to the lipid bilayer.
 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.
3. 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.

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 has 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 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.
The Cell Membrane and its Function
The phospholipid bilayer contains large numbers of protein that serves different function.
Its functions can be summarized as follows:
1. Compartmentalization
► The phospholipid bilayer provides continuous unbroken compartment that
encloses the intracellular spaces. It allows the normal functioning of the cell’s organelles
without interference from the outside environment of the cell.
2. Selectively Permeable
► The phospholipid bilayer which is bounded by peripheral protein (glycoprotein and
glycolipid) adds considerably to the selective nature of the cell membrane. Substances like
fat soluble vitamins (A, B, D and K) and molecules of oxygen, carbon dioxide, lipid and
alcohol can easily pass to the membrane through passive transport where there is no the
expenditure of energy but is dependent on the concentration gradient. Ions (sodium,
potassium, calcium and chloride) due to their charge prevent them from slipping through the
spaces of the bilayer. Water soluble materials like sugar and amino acids needs channel
protein to pass across the cell membrane.
3. Transporting Solutes
► The membrane protein bound in the cell membrane transport different molecules
such as sugar, amino acids and ions from one side of the cell membrane to another.
Transport protein (integral protein) including channel proteins and carrier proteins transport
molecules differently. Channel protein forms hole that allow water molecules ions to pass
through the membrane while carrier protein change its shape to allow specific ions to bind
and move across the membrane.
4. Responding to External Stimuli
► It has receptors (peripheral protein) that play critical role in the response of the
external stimuli. Receptors bind to signaling molecules outside the cell and initiate
physiological responses. Once a receptor protein receives signal, it undergoes
conformational change and do series of biochemical reactions depending what is needed by
the cell.
5. Cell Recognition
► The peripheral protein such as glycoprotein bound in the phospholipid bilayer
serves as cell’s identity badge that recognize pathogens. Glycoprotein can act as a marker
that identify and recognize each other cells and foreign substances.
 What’s More

Activity 1
Instruction: Answer the following questions. Limit your answers into 3 sentences. Write your
answers on your answer sheet
1. How is phospholipid arranged in the cell membrane?
2. How does the arrangement of different structural components of the cell membrane
contribute to its fluidity?
3. Aside from cell membrane, where else can you find a bilayer of lipid?

Assessment 1
Instruction: Answer the question in less then 5 sentences. Underline your key tems/
phrases. Wrtite your answer on your answer sheet.
 Why is the cell membrane’s fluidity important?

Activity 2
Table Completion
Instruction: Complete the table below by identifying the different functions of the structural
component of the cell membrane and its location. Copy and complete the table on your
answer sheets.
Structural Functions Location
Component of the (in the cell
Cell Membrane membrane)
1. Phospholipid
bilayer
2. Integral protein
3. Peripheral protein

Assessment 2
Instruction: Short Answer: Answer the following questions in no more than 4 sentences.
Write your answers on your answersheets.
1. What are the functions of the cell membrane?
2. What makes the cell membrane selectively permeable or semi-permeable?
3. What is the difference between channel and carrier protein?
4. How do cells respond to different stimuli?
5. What is the role of glycoprotein in cell recognition?

What I Have Learned

Creative Illustration
Instruction: Choose at least three from the given functions below and Make an illustration/
representation that will show how cell membrane carry out the following function. Write your
answer on your answer sheet.
 Compartmentalization Selectively Permeable

Transporting Solutes Responding to External Stimuli

Cell Recognition

Function: _ Function: _ Function: _

What I Can Do

Building a Structure
Instruction: Make a fluid mosaic model of the cell membrane using recyclable and
indigenous materials (old clean paper, dried plants, bottle caps, straw, etc.,). Your base
should not be more than 6x6 inches. Detach the rubrics and attach it on your model.

Criteria 4 3 2 1
Scientific Explanation Explanation Explanation Explanation
Knowledge indicates a clear indicates an indicates a illustrate a little
and accurate accurate relative understanding
understanding understanding accurate of the scientific
of the scientific of the scientificunderstanding principles.
principles. principles. of the scientific
principles.
Fluidity 3-D model is 3-D model is 3-D model is 3-D model is
very creative, creative, mostly creative, somehow
accurate and all accurate and somewhat creative, less
molecules are molecules are accurate and accurate and
clearly labeled. clearly labeled. molecules are molecules are
labeled. labeled.
Construction- Appropriate Appropriate Appropriate Appropriate
Materials recyclables and recyclables and recyclables and recyclables 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 made attempt at
ways that made them even creative
them even better. modification to
better. make them
even better.
Over-all Great care process so neat, attractive Construction is
Appearance taken in that the and accurate. careful and
construction structure is accurate.
Construction refined for Construction careless and details need
is but could more attractive appear many refinement.
have been product.

Post-Assessment

Instruction: Multiple Choice. Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the chosen
letter on a separate sheet of paper.(15pts)
1. Which biomolecule is not found in the cell membrane?
A. Carbohydrate C. Nucleic acid
B. Lipid D. Protein
2. Which of the following is not a characteristic of the cell membrane?
A. Amphipathic in nature
B. Made up of lipid layer
C. Physical and chemical barrier which separates the inside and outside of the
cell. D. It is selectively permeable
3. What is the proportion of lipids and proteins in the cell membrane?
A. 50 : 50 C. 25 : 75
B. 50 : 25 D. 80 : 20
4. What molecules that play an important role in controlling cell membrane fluidity is?
A. phospholipid C. membrane protein
B. cholesterol D. glycoprotein
5. What type of biomolecule is attached to the external side of the membrane protein?
A. Protein C. Lipid
B. Carbohydrate D. Nucleic acid
6. What is the fundamental building block of cell membrane?
A. Phospholipid C. Carbohydrate
B. Protein D. Integral protein
7. What do you call a trans membrane protein that pass entirely through the lipid
bilayer and protrude from both the extracellular and cytoplasmic sides of the
membrane?
A. Glycoprotein C. Peripheral protein
B. Integral protein D. Lipoprotein
8. Which of the following statement does not describe the hydrophilic nature of
globular head of the phospholipid bilayer?
A. Water-loving
B. Polar molecule
C. Exposed in high water content region
D. Poorly soluble in water
9. What do you call carbohydrates that are found on the outside surface of the cells
and are bound to protein molecule?
A. Integral protein C. Glycoprotein
B. Peripheral protein D. Transmembrane protein
10. Which of the following does not describe a peripheral
protein?
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. How does the fluid mosaic model describe parts of the cell membrane such as
proteins and phospholipids?
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 but decreases fluidity at low
temperature.
B. Cholesterol increases fluidity both at high and low temperature.
C. Cholesterol decreases fluidity both at high and low temperature.
D. Cholesterol decreases fluidity at high temperature but increases fluidity at low
temperature.
13. What molecules play an important role in controlling cell membrane fluidity?
A. Phospholipid C. Membrane protein
B. Cholesterol D. Glycoprotein
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. Which of the following statements is incorrect regarding the cell membrane fluidity?
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.

Additional Activities
Direction: In a real life situation, where can you compare the cell membrane? Briefly
explain your answer. Give at least three (3) examples.

Examples Explanation
Ex. Clothing There is a great variety of clothes that we can use during different seasons.
Some clothes keeps us warm (coats), some clothes easily allows water/
sweat to pass through (dri fit), while there are others that prevents water to
enter (raincoat)
Answer Key

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 REFENCES
Bailey, Regina. 2019. Cell Membrane Function and Structure. October 7. Accessed
September 2020. https://www.thoughtco.com/cell-membrane-
373364. Biology Dictionary. 2020. Cell Membrane. June 21. Accessed
September 2020.
https://biologydictionary.net/cell-membrane/.
Khan Academy. n.d. Structure of the plasma membrane. Accessed September
2020. https://www.khanacademy.org/science/high-school-biology/hs-
cells/hs-the-cell-
membrane/a/structure-of-the-plasma-membrane.
Mader, Sylvia S. 1994. Inquiry Into Life. Iowa: Wm. C. Brown Publisher.
Miller, Kenneth R, and Joseph Levine. 2004. Biology. Upper Saddle River, New
Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall.
Russell, Peter J, Paul E Hertz, Beverly McMillan, Eldra P Solomon, Charles E Martin,
Diana
W Martin, Linda R Berg, et al. 2017. General Biology 1. Valenzuela: JO-ES
Publishing House, Inc.
Cheresson, Lisette. 2014. 4 Pics 1 Word Puzzles. May 23. Accessed September 2020.
https://heavy.com/4-pics-1-word-cheats/2014/05/baby-police-bouncer-camera/.
—. 2014. 4 Pics 1 Word Puzzles. August 6. Accessed September 2020.
https://heavy.com/4-
pics-1-word-cheats/2014/03/keyboard-coin-sign-door/.

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