The lipid bilayer of cell membrane exist as: (A) Solid, (B) Semisolid, (C) Gel, (D) Fibres
Answer is C. The lipid bilayer shows free lateral movement of its components, hence the membrane is said to be fluid in nature. Fluidity enables the membrane to perform endocytosis and exocytosis. However, the components do not freely move from inner to outer layer or outer to inner layer (flip-flop movement is restricted). During apoptosis (programmed cell death), flip-flop movement occurs. Somewhat similar to a gel.Ref: DM Vasudevan, page no: 11