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Ch. 6 - Lipids, Membranes, and the First Cells
All textbooksFreeman 8th EditionCh. 6 - Lipids, Membranes, and the First CellsProblem 1
Chapter 6, Problem 1

What is a fiber composite? How do cellular fiber composites resemble reinforced concrete?

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Fiber composites are materials made from two or more different substances, where one of the substances, the fibers, are dispersed in a matrix (the other substance) to enhance properties such as strength and durability.
In biology, cellular fiber composites can be found in various biological structures where fibrous proteins like collagen are embedded in a hydrated gel matrix, providing structural support and resilience.
Reinforced concrete, used in construction, is a type of fiber composite where steel rods or bars (fibers) are embedded in concrete (matrix) to improve its tensile strength and durability.
The resemblance between cellular fiber composites and reinforced concrete lies in their structural design principle: both use a matrix to bind fibers together, enhancing the overall properties of the material, such as strength and flexibility.
This structural strategy is crucial in both biological and architectural engineering, allowing for the creation of structures that can withstand various stresses and strains while maintaining integrity.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Fiber Composite

A fiber composite is a material made from two or more constituent materials with significantly different physical or chemical properties. The fibers provide strength and stiffness, while the matrix binds the fibers together and transfers loads between them. Common examples include fiberglass and carbon fiber composites, which are used in various applications due to their lightweight and high-strength characteristics.
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Cellular Structure

Cellular structures are materials composed of a network of interconnected voids or cells, which can enhance their mechanical properties. In biological contexts, cellular fiber composites, such as those found in plant tissues, exhibit a similar arrangement where fibers are embedded in a matrix, providing structural support and flexibility. This design allows for efficient load distribution and resilience against external forces.
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Reinforced Concrete

Reinforced concrete is a composite material that combines concrete, which is strong in compression, with steel reinforcement bars (rebar), which provide tensile strength. This combination allows the material to withstand various stresses and loads, making it ideal for construction. The analogy to cellular fiber composites lies in how both systems utilize a matrix (concrete or biological matrix) to support and enhance the performance of the reinforcing fibers or bars.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question

How do the phospholipids in archaea differ from those in other cells? a. They have tails made of unsaturated fatty acids instead of saturated fatty acids. b. They do not contain hydrocarbon chains. c. They have isoprenoid tails instead of fatty acid tails. d. They have two hydrocarbon chains instead of three hydrocarbon chains.

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Textbook Question

A cell is placed in a solution that is hypotonic to the cell. Which of the following best describes movement of water in this situation? a. Water will only flow into the cell. b. Water will only flow out of the cell. c. Water will flow into and out of the cell, but the overall net movement will be out of the cell. d. Water will flow into and out of the cell, but the overall net movement will be into the cell.

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Textbook Question

If a solution surrounding a cell is hypertonic relative to the inside of the cell, how will water move? a. It will move into the cell via osmosis. b. It will move out of the cell via osmosis. c. It will not move, because equilibrium exists. d. It will evaporate from the cell surface more rapidly.

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Textbook Question

Where are protein components of the extracellular matrix synthesized? a. in the rough ER b. in the Golgi apparatus c. in the plasma membrane d. in the extracellular layer itself

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