Page 77 - The Miracle in the Cell Membrane
P. 77

Harun Yahya (Adnan Oktar)



                   water-based cells out side. The hydro pho bic "tails" are
                   squeezed between the hydro pho bic sur fa ces of the cell
                   mem brane.
                       This arrange ment is most impor tant, because the
                   phos phate parts of the phos phol i pids being on the out -
                   side makes the pas sage of water pos si ble, one of the cell's
                   basic needs. Were the phos phate parts on the inside, the
                   hydro pho bic lip ids would repel the water, which would
                   be una ble to con tact the mem brane and enter the cell. In
                   that case, chem i cal reac tions with in the cell would fail to
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                   take place, and life would be endan gered. Due to their
                   hydro pho bic struc tures, phos phol i pids are not per me a -
                   ble to such water-sol u ble con tents of the cell as sugar,
                   amino acids and other organ ic acids. This, as we shall be



                   Micelle                                   Air


                                                              Water
                                                    Sequence of molecules in the
                                                   single-layer phospholipid layer
                                                              Water


                Phospholipids form micelles—small insoluble
                particles made up by fat molecules—in water.
                                                              Water
                          The water-attracting (hydrophilic)
                          part attached to water
                                                      Sequence of molecules in the
                                                     double-layered phospholipid layer
                          Water-repellent
                          (hydrophobic) tail
                          remaining in the  This sequence of the cell membrane is of the
                          inner part of the cell   greatest importance, because the phosphate
                                          part of the phospholipids makes possible the
                                          passage of water, one of the cell's basic needs.


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