1. Imagine a unicellular organism from another planet, which has a cytoplasm and

Question

1. Imagine a unicellular organism from another planet, which has a cytoplasm and a plasma membrane. The cytoplasm is similar in composition to the aqueous cytoplasm of Earthly organisms. However, it lives in a lake-like environment that is oily instead of containing water

1a, Using this information, draw the plasma membrane of this organism and explain how the lipids would be arranged.

1b. Do you think that this plasma membrane would contain proteins with sugar groups facing the external (extracellular) face of the plasma membrane? Explain.

Explanation / Answer

1a. According to universal plasma membrane structure, in the lipid bilayer, the hydrophobic tail region present interiorly and hydrophilic head region present exteriorly. But, here the situation would be different; in which hydrophobic (lipophilic) tail would expose outside and hydrophilic (lipophobic) head would inside since, its environment is oily (hydrophobic). Moreover, here we cannot see bilayer, only exist in monolayer (like micelle).

Here, I am not drawing any figure, please draw yourself based on above information by imaging original plasma membrane.

1b. Existnce of proteins with sugar groups in external facing would be difficult but possible. They should have non-polar amino acids and groups towards external face to interact with non-polar oily environment. Otherwise, their existince would be quite tough and non-functional.

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse 1
• Subjects

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.