Discussion:
Areal density and mean spacing
The area fraction associated with membrane proteins in the red blood cell (diameter = 8 µm) membrane is roughly 23%, while the lipids themselves take up roughly 77% of the membrane area.
a.Approximately how many phospholipids make up the red blood cell membrane?
b.How many membrane proteins would you estimate are in the red blood cell membrane
c.What is their mean spacing?
