Membrane Science and Technology

Biological Membranes

Biological membranes consist of a dual sheet (known as a bilayer) of lipid molecules. This structure is usually referred to as the phospholipid bilayer. In addition to the many types of lipids that occur in biological membranes, membrane proteins and sugars are also key mechanisms of the structure. Membrane proteins play a vital role in biological membranes, as they help to preserve the structural integrity, organization and flow of material through membranes. Sugars are establish on one side of the bilayer only, and are attached by covalent bonds to some lipids and proteins.