Model building with the Playdoh also serves as a motivator for creativity and sentimental stimulation. This will reinforce why it is important each group member comes to class with research and visual aids to help their team build the model as they all hold an integral responsibility for the evaluation together.Ī “lesson trailer” (a preview activity that serves a lesson like a movie trailer previews a film) will help to promote a sense of awe and wonder in the inner workings of the cell and cell membrane. Explain the timeline forĬonstruction and evaluation.

Go through the check list of items that they need to research or define to construct the model in class. Power Point 1 & 2 - Cells History and Intro.Preview activity with students the day before to ensure they know the learning goals. As a comparison, human red blood cells, visible via light microscopy, are approximately 8 µm thick, or approximately 1,000 times thicker than a plasma membrane.Ĭheck my understanding - Cells the units of lifeĬheck my understanding - Prokaryotic and Eukaryoti.Ĭheck my understanding - The Eukaryotic CellĬhecking my understanding - Using a microscope Plasma membranes range from 5–10 nm thick. The fluidity of the plasma membrane is necessary for the activities of certain enzymes and transport molecules within the membrane. Both phospholipid molecules and embedded proteins are able to move rapidly in the membrane. The fluid mosaic model describes the structure of the plasma membrane as a mosaic (mixture) of components - including phospholipids, cholesterol, proteins, and carbohydrates - in which the components are able to flow and change position, while maintaining the basic integrity of the membrane.

The model has evolved somewhat over time, but still best accounts for the structure and functions of the plasma membrane as we now understand them. Nicolson proposed a new model of the plasma membrane that, compared to earlier understanding, better explained both microscopic observations and the function of the plasma membrane.

Fluid mosaic model download