特集： 細胞機能からみた生体膜研究 生体膜の構造と機能

Abstract

This review focuses on the structure and function of the biological membranes. It was prepared for researchers working on artificial membranes. The table of contents is as follows ; (1) Introduction. (2) Structure of the biological membrane ; 1) The cell is a living unit. 2) The biological membrane is represented as the fluid mosaic model. 3) The membrane lipids are amphipathic. 4) The lipid molecules form micelles or bimolecular sheets in aqueous envionments. 5) The lipid molecules diffuse within the lipid bilayer. 6) The lipids distribute asymmetrically in the biological membrane. 7) The proteins distribute asymmetrically in the biological membrane. (3) Functions of the biological membrane ; 1) The biological membrane has multiple functions. 2) The lipid bilayer is a barrier. 3) The ion composition is different between inside and outside the cell. 4) Transports across the membrane are either energy dependent or independent. 5) The lipid bilayer limits the transfer of the polar molecules. 6) Gate regulates ion-channel. 7) The rate of facilitated diffusion is limited. 8) The active transport needs energy. 9) P-type pump is phosphorylated. 10) The secretion and absorption accompany dynamic cytosis. 11) The information is transmitted through the membrane. 12) The membrane skeleton is important. 13) The erythrocyte deforms. 14) The membrane skeleton is ubiquitous. 15) The enzyme reaction in the membrane obeys a Michaelis-Menten equation. 16) The analysis of membrane disorder would reveral normal membrane functions. (4) Conclusion.