The Nature and Stability of the Plasma Membrane

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Abstract
Structural features of plasma membranes have been derived from chemical and structural data on nerve myelin, a multilayered membrane system which is highly favorable for direct study. Molecular constituents of such membranes have been related to electron-density distribution curves derived from x-ray diffraction patterns of myelin in fresh nerve tissue. These curves relate to the variations of electron density through the thickness of the membrane layer, and they indicate significant structural differences between Schwann-cell and glial-cell membranes. Experience with the myelin system has also facilitated discussion of the distribution of molecular constituents within the plane of the membrane and the possibility of variations in this distribution in relation to function.