membranes
Pliable tissue layers
Membranes is the plural of membrane, a thin flexible layer that covers, lines, or separates structures.
In biology, membranes enclose cells and organs: mucous membranes, cell membranes.
The term extends to thin sheets in technology and manufacturing: a semipermeable membrane filters impurities.
Figuratively, a membrane suggests any subtle barrier: the membrane between waking and sleep.
Basic unit of life
- phospholipidPhosphate-containing membrane lipid
- bilayerTwo-layer molecular arrangement
- lipidWater-insoluble organic compound
- cytoplasmGel surrounding the nucleus
organelle · mitochondria · chloroplast · vesicle · lysosome · nucleus · endoplasmic · proteins
Small in diameter
- delicateEasily broken or harmed
- pliableCapable of bending easily
- elasticAble to stretch, rebounds
- resilientAble to recover quickly
stretchy · tensile · fragile · translucent · supple · yielding · tear-resistant · durable
Solvent crossing semipermeable barrier
- diffusionPassive molecular spreading
- permeabilityAbility to transmit fluids
- selectivityTendency to choose carefully
- dialysisMechanical blood filtration
aquaporin · transport · gradient · concentration · pores · solute · solvent · passive
Slime-producing, bodily
- tympanicOf or like drums
- synovialOf joint membranes
- meningesBrain and cord coverings
- pericardiumMembranous cardiac enclosure
peritoneum · pleura · amnion · chorion · retina · cornea · eardrum · nasal
Serving to guard
- selectiveChoosing with care
- impermeableCannot be penetrated
- waterproofImpervious to moisture
- breathablePermits air passage
Gore-Tex · skin · coating · film · layer · envelope · enclosure · seal
Extracting salt from seawater
- purificationRemoval of contaminants
- dialysisMechanical blood filtration
- separationState of being apart
- crossflowCurrent perpendicular to main direction
rejection · fouling · backwash · cartridge · ceramic · polymeric · industrial
cell
Basic unit of life
- phospholipidPhosphate-containing membrane lipid
- bilayerTwo-layer molecular arrangement
- lipidWater-insoluble organic compound
cytoplasm · organelle · mitochondria · chloroplast · vesicle · lysosome · nucleus · endoplasmic · proteins · receptor
thin
Small in diameter
resilient · stretchy · tensile · fragile · translucent · supple · yielding · tear-resistant · durable · permeable
osmosis
Solvent crossing semipermeable barrier
- diffusionPassive molecular spreading
- permeabilityAbility to transmit fluids
- selectivityTendency to choose carefully
dialysis · aquaporin · transport · gradient · concentration · pores · solute · solvent · passive · active
mucous
Slime-producing, bodily
pericardium · peritoneum · pleura · amnion · chorion · retina · cornea · eardrum · nasal · sinus
protective
Serving to guard
- selectiveChoosing with care
- impermeableCannot be penetrated
- waterproofImpervious to moisture
breathable · Gore-Tex · skin · coating · film · layer · envelope · enclosure · seal · partition
desalination
Extracting salt from seawater
- purificationRemoval of contaminants
- dialysisMechanical blood filtration
- separationState of being apart
crossflow · rejection · fouling · backwash · cartridge · ceramic · polymeric · industrial
- string theorystring theory, superstring theory, superstrings, strings, open strings
- biomaterialscollagen, titanium implants, silicone, scaffolds, dental implants
- placentaplacenta, umbilical cord, amnion, chorion, yolk sac
- soft mattercolloids, emulsions, gels, foams, polymers
- materialsmetal, metals, wood, ceramic, fabric
- cellscells, blood cell, cell theory, nerve cell, red blood cell
membranesthick walls
Dense structural barriers
plates · slabs · shells · stone walls · bulkheads
- thin membrane
- cell membraneOuter layer of cytoplasm
- inner membraneInnermost surrounding tissue layer
- mucous membranesSlick tissue lining cavities
- plasma membraneLipid bilayer enclosing cytoplasm
- tough membrane