Which of the following statements is true regarding the inside and outside of the plasma membrane?
A) Both the inside and outside of the phospholipid bilayer are identical.
B) There are phospholipids on both sides of the membrane, but cytoskeletal filaments are present on the outside and carbohydrates and glycolipids are present on the inside.
C) There are phospholipids on both sides of the membrane, but cytoskeletal filaments are present on the inside and carbohydrates and glycolipids are present on the outside.
D) The inside consists of a phospholipid bilayer while the outside consists of a layer of carbohydrates and glycolipids.
E) The outside consists of a phospholipid bilayer while the inside consists of a layer of proteins.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The phospholipid bilayer exists on both sides of the plasma membrane, but the inside has cytoskeletal filaments while the outside has carbohydrates and glycolipids. This is because the cytoskeleton is responsible for maintaining cell shape and anchoring the membrane proteins on the inside of the cell, while the carbohydrates and glycolipids on the outside of the membrane play a role in cell recognition and communication.

Which of the Following Statements Is True Regarding the Inside