Describe the structure of the plasma membrane according to the fluid mosaic model.

According to the fluid mosaic model the plasma membrane consists of

• A bimolecular phospholipid heads. This phospholipid layer is capable of much molecular movement, i.e. is fluid in nature.
• A variety of globular protein molecules with an irregular arrangement within the bimolecular phospholipid layer. Some proteins occur on the surface of the phospholipid layer (peripheral or extrinsic proteins) while others extend into it (integral or intrinsic proteins) and some even extend completely across (transmembrane proteins). Viewed from the surface, the proteins are dotted throughout the phospholipid layer on a mosaic arrangement.

Hence the name fluid-mosaic model.