Biological Membranes and Transport: A Quantitative and Mechanistic Analysis of Molecular Permeation Across Cellular Boundaries

Abstract

Biological membranes represent one of the most sophisticated and evolutionarily conserved molecular assemblies in living systems, serving as dynamic interfaces that regulate selective passage of substances whilst maintaining cellular integrity. This comprehensive analysis examines the intricate structural organisation of biological membranes within the fluid mosaic model framework, providing rigorous quantitative exploration of diverse mechanisms governing molecular transport across these barriers. The investigation includes mathematical formalisms governing transport phenomena, from Fick’s Laws to Michaelis-Menten kinetics.