In which year did E Gorter and F Grendel make a breakthrough by examining the surface area of lipids and concluded that the lipid surface surrounding cells must be of two layers?

Correct option is B

Correct Answer: B (1925)

Explanation:

In 1925, Evert Gorter and Francois Grendel conducted groundbreaking research on the structure of cell membranes. They extracted lipids from red blood cell membranes and analyzed their surface area. Their experiments revealed that the surface area of the lipids was approximately double the surface area of the cells. This led to the conclusion that the lipid layer surrounding cells must be a bilayer, not a monolayer.

• This discovery was pivotal in establishing the foundation for understanding the structure of biological membranes.
• The lipid bilayer model is now a cornerstone of cell biology, explaining how the cell membrane provides both a barrier and a functional interface for cellular processes.

Information Booster:

● The lipid bilayer model was later expanded into the Fluid Mosaic Model by Singer and Nicolson in 1972.
● The lipid bilayer is composed of phospholipids, with hydrophilic heads facing outward and hydrophobic tails inward.
● Membrane proteins embedded in the lipid bilayer facilitate transport, signaling, and structural support.
● Gorter and Grendel's work was based on experiments with red blood cells due to their lack of organelles, providing a simpler system for study.
● Their discovery laid the groundwork for modern research on membrane dynamics and transport mechanisms.