1.3.S3 Analysis of The Falsification of The Davson-Danielli Model That Led To The Singer-Nicolson Model

1.3.
S3
Analysis of the falsification of
the Davson-Danielli model
that led to the Singer-
Nicolson model.
Historical Context
The Davson-Danielli (1935)
model of membrane structure
(1.3.S2) was accepted by most
cell biologists for about 30
years. However, in the 1950’s
and 1960’s some experimental
evidence accumulated that did
not fit with the Davson-Danielli
model.
Describe conclusions about cell membrane structure drawn from freeze-etched
electron micrograph images of the cell membrane.
Freeze etching is an electron microscopic preparation technique that was developed
in the 1960's. The technique involves rapid freezing of cells and then fracturing them
along lines of weakness, including through the center of membranes.
Globular structures scattered through freeze-etched images of the center of
membranes were interpreted as integral (transmembrane) proteins.
Davson-Danielli Model New Evidence

The cell membrane proteins are all The cell membrane proteins can span
peripheral to the lipid bilayer. through the lipid bilayer (1.3.U2).
Describe conclusions about cell membrane structure drawn from improvements
in techniques for determining the structure of membrane proteins.
Improvements in biochemical techniques
allowed proteins to be extracted from
membranes. The proteins were found to be:
• varied in size, unlike the type of protein that
would form continuous layers on the outside
of the membrane as Davson and Danielli had
proposed.
• hydrophobic on at least part of their surface,
unlike the completely hydrophilic proteins on
the outside of the membrane as Davson and
Danielli had proposed.
Describe conclusions about cell membrane structure drawn from improvements
in techniques for determining the structure of membrane proteins.

The cell membrane proteins are Membrane proteins are NOT uniform
hydrophilic and relatively uniform in in shape and some are hydrophobic (
shape. 1.3.U2). Such proteins would not be
able to form a continuous layer on the
outer surface of the membrane.
Describe conclusions about cell membrane structure
drawn from cell fusion experiments.
Frye and Edidin (1970) fused two cells labeled with
different membrane-bound fluorescent tags and
watched as the two protein populations mixed.
Describe conclusions about cell membrane structure drawn from cell fusion
experiments. Red or green fluorescent markers were
attached to mouse and human membrane Within 40 minutes the
proteins (essentially “staining” the proteins in proteins were mixed
Mouse and the membrane so they could be tracked and throughout the
human cells identified). membrane of the fused
were fused cell.
together.
Describe conclusions about cell membrane structure drawn from cell fusion
experiments.

The cell membrane proteins form a Membrane proteins can move around
rigid, non-moving layer on either side within the bilayer, they are not locked
of the lipid bilayer. in place.
Compare the Davson-Danielli model of membrane
structure with the Singer-Nicolson model
As evidence mounted which undermined the Davson-Danielli model of
membrane structure, S. Jonathan Singer and Garth Nicolson (1972)
proposed the fluid mosaic model of the cell membrane (1.3.S1). The
Singer-Nicolson model has two key features—a mosaic of proteins
embedded in the membrane, and the membrane being a fluid bilayer of
lipids. The lipid bilayer suggestion agrees with previous models (1.3.S2)
but the Singer-Nicolson model includes proteins as globular structures
that can embedded in the layer rather than forming sheets on the
membrane surface.
Compare the Davson-Danielli model of membrane structure with the
Singer-Nicolson model
Davson-Danielli Model Singer-Nicolson Model

◎ The “Lipid Sandwich Model.” ◎ The “Fluid Mosaic Model.”
◎ Membranes are static, rigid and fixed. ◎ Membranes are fluid, meaning they
◎ Lipids are capped with a layer of can change shape and flow (1.4.U2)
proteins. ◎ Proteins are dispersed throughout
◎ All proteins are hydrophilic and the membrane, leaving many portions
peripheral to the lipid bilayer. of the lipid bare and exposed to the
extra- and intracellular environments.
◎ Proteins are peripheral and integral to
*scientific models change as new information is the lipid bilayer. Integral proteins
gleaned from technological and experimental have hydrophobic regions.
advancements (1.3.NOS1)

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1.3.

Davson-Danielli Model New Evidence

Davson-Danielli Model New Evidence

Davson-Danielli Model New Evidence

Davson-Danielli Model Singer-Nicolson Model

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