Model Making.........1
1. Making of a “Fluid Mosaic Model”
The idea of the fluid mosaic model can be demonstrated using a model (Fig.1) made
of simple materials: ping-pong balls, drinking straws, a plastic container, oil and
water.
Fig.1
1. Cut the drinking straws into 2-3cm long
segments.
2. Use a glue gun to stick each ping-pong with
2 drinking straw segments. (Fig.2 and 3)
3. Divide the ping-pong balls into 2 groups.
One group serves as the phospholipids of the
upper layer, the other group serves as the
phospholipids of the lower layer. (The
number of ping-pong ball used depends on
the size of container used.)
4. For the upper group of ping-pong balls, stick
some weights (plasticine) at the open end of
the drinking straws.
Fig.2
Fig.3
Phospholipid bilayer
Hydrophilic head
Hydrophobic tail
