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Keeping in view the fluid mosaic model for the structure of cell membrane, which one of the following statements is correct with respect to the movement of lipids and proteins from one lipid monolayer to the other (described as flipflop movement)?

1. Both lipids and proteins can flip-flop
2. While lipids can rarely flip-flop, protein cannot
3. While proteins can flip-flop, lipids cannot
4. Neither lipids, nor proteins can flip-flop

Correct answer: While lipids can rarely flip-flop, protein cannot

Solution

In the fluid mosaic model, lipids can occasionally move from one leaflet to the other, but this flip-flop is rare because the polar head must cross the hydrophobic core. Membrane proteins do not undergo flip-flop because their large, complex structures are embedded asymmetrically and cannot pass through the bilayer.

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