Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
properties. Liquid water is abundant, small in size, and highly mobile. From a membrane
perspective, it is water's propensity to form hydrogen bonds that is responsible for its strong
self-attraction (cohesion) and many remarkable properties. Even at physiological tempera-
ture, liquid water exists as large extended clusters held together by hydrogen bonds. Water
is life's solvent, an essential reagent in life, the major thermal regulator in life, and the driving
force for all biological structure. The aversion of hydrocarbons for water, known as the
Hydrophobic Effect, is the major stabilizing factor for membranes.
Membranes are composed primarily of lipids and proteins, often with carbohydrates
adorning their (outer) surface. Chapter 4 will discuss simple membrane lipids, with an
emphasis on fatty acids.
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