Cell Membrane Fusion: Frye & Edidin Experiment

This lecture discusses the groundbreaking experiment by Frye & Edidin in 1970, where they fused mouse and human cells to study membrane protein distribution. Using Sendai virus, they successfully fused cells and observed the intermixing of membrane proteins. The lecture also covers the fluid mosaic model, phase transitions in membranes, and the influence of temperature and fatty acid composition on membrane fluidity. Additionally, it explores the role of cholesterol and selective permeability in cell membranes, clarifying misconceptions about permeability to water and the concept of osmosis.