A. What are two ways in which the extracellular and cytoplasmic leaflets of the plasma membrane are different in composition from each other? B. What is one function that this asymmetry plays in the cell? Solution a. There is considerable difference in the outer and inner plasma membrane: 1. There is asymmetric distribution of phospholipids in both the membranes. 2. Phophatidylionositol is exculsively found in the inner membrane as it plays a role in cell signalling and imparts a net negative charge on the inner side of the cell. B, Due to this asymmetry, there are more lipid heads on the inner side of the membrane, making it negative in charge due to which the resting membrane potential is developed and the cells have a negative charge on the inside and positive on the outside..