Cell Membrane

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Cell Membrane

The Cell Membrane (pronunciation: /sɛl ˈmɛmbreɪn/), also known as the plasma membrane, is a biological membrane that separates the interior of all cells from the outside environment. The cell membrane is selectively permeable to ions and organic molecules and controls the movement of substances in and out of cells.

Etymology

The term "cell membrane" comes from the Latin word cella meaning "small room", and membrana meaning "parchment". It was first used in the 19th century to describe the thin layer that enclosed the cell.

Structure

The cell membrane is composed of a lipid bilayer, including cholesterol that sits between phospholipids to maintain their fluidity at various temperatures. The membrane also contains membrane proteins, including integral proteins that go across the membrane and peripheral proteins that sit just on the inside or outside of the membrane.

Function

The primary function of the cell membrane is to protect the cell from its surroundings. It consists of the phospholipid bilayer with embedded proteins. Cell membranes are involved in a variety of cellular processes such as cell adhesion, ion conductivity and cell signaling and serve as the attachment surface for several extracellular structures, including the cell wall, glycocalyx, and intracellular cytoskeleton.

Related Terms

  • Lipid Bilayer: The basic structure of a biological membrane, composed of two layers of lipids.
  • Phospholipid: A type of lipid molecule that is the main component of the cell membrane.
  • Cholesterol: A lipid that forms an essential part of cell membranes and animal hormones.
  • Membrane Proteins: Proteins that interact with, or are part of, biological membranes.
  • Cell Adhesion: The process by which cells interact and attach to neighbouring cells through specialised molecules of the cell surface.
  • Ion Conductivity: The movement of ions from one point to another through the cell membrane.
  • Cell Signaling: The complex system of communication that governs basic cellular activities and coordinates cell actions.

External links

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