cell membrane
Living barrier layer
The cell membrane is the thin, flexible boundary surrounding a living cell, controlling what enters and exits.
Also called the plasma membrane, it consists of a double layer of lipids studded with proteins that regulate the passage of molecules.
Nutrients pass through the cell membrane into the cytoplasm.
The term extends metaphorically to any selective barrier between systems.
Allowing partial passage
- permeabilityAbility to transmit fluids
- compartmentalizationDivision into distinct sections
- boundaryLine marking a limit
- enclosureConfined, bordered space
Solvent crossing semipermeable barrier
- diffusionPassive molecular spreading
- channelsPaths for transmission
- transportersVehicles that convey cargo
- pumpsLaceless dress shoes
aquaporins · endocytosis · exocytosis · phagocytosis · carrier proteins
Sugar-bound cellular proteins
- glycolipidsSugar-bound membrane fats
- cholesterolWaxy lipid in blood
- fluid mosaic modelCell membrane structural theory
Lipids with phosphate groups
- cholesterolWaxy lipid in blood
- flexibilityAbility to adapt easily
- viscosityFluid's flow resistance
- phase transitionMatter shifting between states
semipermeable
Allowing partial passage
- permeabilityAbility to transmit fluids
- compartmentalizationDivision into distinct sections
- boundaryLine marking a limit
osmosis
Solvent crossing semipermeable barrier
- diffusionPassive molecular spreading
- channelsPaths for transmission
- transportersVehicles that convey cargo
pumps · aquaporins · endocytosis · exocytosis · phagocytosis · carrier proteins
glycoproteins
Sugar-bound cellular proteins
- glycolipidsSugar-bound membrane fats
- cholesterolWaxy lipid in blood
- fluid mosaic modelCell membrane structural theory
phospholipids
Lipids with phosphate groups
- cholesterolWaxy lipid in blood
- flexibilityAbility to adapt easily
- viscosityFluid's flow resistance
- cellsmitosis, meiosis, chloroplast, vacuole, vacuoles
- cell biologycytoplasm, ribosome, mitochondria, nucleus, organelles
- Microscopicbacterium, virus, amoeba, paramecium, microbe
- Cellular Structuresribosome, mitochondria, chloroplast, Golgi apparatus, nucleus
- gut absorptionsmall intestine, villi, microvilli, duodenum, jejunum
- membranesnuclear envelope, amnion, meninges, pericardium, peritoneum
cell membranenucleus
Central controlling part
cytoplasm · cytosol · nucleolus · organelles
cell, cells, membrane, cellular, unicellular, membranes, multicellular, membranous, intracellular