What Makes the Cell Membrane Asymmetric?

💡 The Answer

• The inner and outer leaflets have distinct lipid compositions.
• Phosphatidylserine is mostly on the cytoplasmic side.
• Sphingomyelin and glycolipids are enriched in the outer leaflet.
• Flippases actively transport specific lipids between leaflets.
• Asymmetry is crucial for signaling and membrane curvature.