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Membranes and proteins from "summary" of The Magic of Reality by Richard Dawkins
Membranes are like the skin of a cell, but they are incredibly thin. They are made up of a double layer of molecules called lipids. These lipids have two ends that behave differently: one end is water-loving, or hydrophilic, and the other end is water-hating, or hydrophobic. When these lipids come together, they arrange themselves so that the hydrophilic ends face outward, towards the water outside and inside the cell, while the hydrophobic ends face inward, away from the water. Proteins are the workers of the cell. They are like tiny machines that perform specific tasks. These proteins are embedded in the cell membrane, where they carry out their functions. Some proteins act as channels, allowing specific substances to pass through the membrane. Others act as receptors, sensing signals from the environment and relaying them to the cell. Still, others act as pumps, moving substances in and out of the cell. The arrangement of proteins in the cell membrane is crucial for the cell to function properly. If the proteins are not in the right place or do not work corr...
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