Describe the fluid mosaic model of the cell membrane and the roles of each molecule type:?

The fluid mosaic model is a basically a way of describing the cell membrane as non-static. There are two leaflets of the membrane, composed of phospholipids, in which are embedded proteins and lipids and carbohydrates. All of these molecules are fluid and can move laterally within the same leaflet they are embedded in. They are not stuck in one area of the membrane.

Phospholipids - The phosphate + fatty acids + glycerol that form the membrane. Have hydrophilic heads and hydrophobic tails.

Cholesterol - A steroid molecule that helps control the fluidity of the membrane. Cholesterol is composed of four fused rings, that can increase or decrease interactions between molecules in response to different temperatures or situations.

Carbohydrates - Sugars embedded in the membrane that can serve as means of cell-cell communication

Proteins - Molecules embedded in the membrane, usually function in shuttling certain compounds from one side of the membrane to the other (carriers)