Lesson Plan

• Describe the structural roles of phospholipids, cholesterol, glycolipids, proteins and glycoproteins in the cell membrane.
• Explain how these components influence membrane stability, fluidity and permeability.
• Compare carrier and channel proteins in terms of transport mechanisms.
• Analyse how membrane glycoproteins participate in cell signalling and cell‑recognition.
• Apply knowledge to predict the effect of temperature or lipid composition on membrane properties.

• Projector or interactive whiteboard
• Printed handout with a cross‑section diagram of the fluid‑mosaic membrane
• Foam‑sheet model of a phospholipid bilayer (for a quick demonstration)
• Quiz cards for formative checks
• Markers and chart paper
• Student notebooks

Begin with a striking image of a cell membrane and ask students how a “bag” can be both sturdy and flexible. Review prior knowledge of basic phospholipid structure, then outline today’s success criteria: students will be able to name key membrane components and explain how each contributes to stability, fluidity, permeability, transport and signalling.

1. Do‑Now (5'): Quick write – “List three functions of a cell membrane.” Collect responses on the board.
2. Mini‑lecture with diagram (15'): Explain phospholipids, cholesterol, glycolipids, proteins and glycoproteins, linking each to stability, fluidity and permeability.
3. Interactive model activity (10'): In pairs, students assemble the foam‑sheet bilayer and place cut‑out pieces representing each component, discussing the role of each.
4. Transport focus (10'): Demonstrate channel vs. carrier proteins using quiz cards; students sort scenarios into “facilitated diffusion”, “active transport”, or “none”.
5. Cell‑signalling & recognition (10'): Short video clip on GPCRs and glycoprotein antigens followed by a think‑pair‑share discussion.
6. Formative check (5'): Exit‑ticket – one sentence describing how cholesterol buffers membrane fluidity under temperature changes.

Summarise how each membrane component contributes to the six functional themes covered. Collect exit‑tickets and highlight a strong answer as a model. For homework, assign a short case‑study where students predict membrane behaviour when saturated fatty acids are replaced by unsaturated ones.