membrane-bound
Wrapped in lipid
Membrane-bound describes cellular structures enclosed by a biological membrane—a thin barrier that separates the contents from the surrounding environment.
Organelles like the nucleus, mitochondria, and lysosomes are membrane-bound, distinguishing eukaryotic cells from simpler prokaryotes: Membrane-bound organelles allow cells to compartmentalize different chemical reactions.
Subcellular functional unit
- nucleusCentral controlling part
- mitochondriaCell's energy-producing organelles
- chloroplastLight-harvesting cell structure
- endoplasmic reticulumCytoplasmic membrane network for synthesis
Golgi apparatus · lysosome · vacuole · peroxisome · vesicle · eukaryotic · compartment · cristae
Phosphate-containing membrane lipid
- bilayerTwo-layer molecular arrangement
- lipidWater-insoluble organic compound
- proteinFolded amino chain
- receptorSignal-receiving molecule
channel · transporter · integral · peripheral · glycoprotein · cholesterol · hydrophobic · hydrophilic
Contained within a covering
- enclosedSurrounded and sealed within
- delimitedHad borders established
- sequesteredRemoved from contact
- partitionedDivided into distinct sections
compartmentalized · surrounded · contained · barrier · envelope · coat · enclosure · separating
organelle
Subcellular functional unit
- nucleusCentral controlling part
- mitochondriaCell's energy-producing organelles
- chloroplastLight-harvesting cell structure
endoplasmic reticulum · Golgi apparatus · lysosome · vacuole · peroxisome · vesicle · eukaryotic · compartment · cristae · lumen
phospholipid
Phosphate-containing membrane lipid
- bilayerTwo-layer molecular arrangement
- lipidWater-insoluble organic compound
- proteinFolded amino chain
receptor · channel · transporter · integral · peripheral · glycoprotein · cholesterol · hydrophobic · hydrophilic · embedded
encapsulated
Contained within a covering
- enclosedSurrounded and sealed within
- delimitedHad borders established
- sequesteredRemoved from contact
partitioned · compartmentalized · surrounded · contained · barrier · envelope · coat · enclosure · separating · isolating
membrane-boundfree-floating
Not fixed to anything
cytoplasmic · unenclosed · diffuse · dispersed · soluble
membrane-boundfree-floating
Not fixed to anything
soluble · free · unbound · untethered · mobile
membrane, membranes, membranous, bound, bounds, bounded, bounding, boundary, boundaries