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The cell membrane (also called the plasma membrane, plasmalemma, or "phospholipid bilayer") is a selectively permeable lipid bilayer found in all cells. It contains a wide variety of biological molecules, primarily proteins and lipids, which are involved in a vast array of cellular processes such as cell adhesion, ion channel conductance and cell signaling. The plasma membrane also serves as the attachment point for both the intracellular cytoskeleton and, if present, the extracellular cell wall.

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15y ago
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13y ago

The Lipid bi-layer of the cellular membrane allows simple molecules to pass through. However, for certain proteins, a special transportation mode is needed.

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Cell membranes are selectively permeable because it allows some things to enter or leave the cell while keeping other things outside or inside the cell.

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12y ago

means that the cell membrane has some control over what can cross it, so that only certain molecules either enter or leave the cell

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yes

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yep!

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Q: In what way are cell membranes selectively permeable?
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A selectively permeable membrane is defined as one that?

... Only allows certain molecules to pass through the "membrane." Think of the membrane as a one way gate. For example some selectively permeable membranes only allow H2O to pass through the wall in one direction and block other molecules.


What does the term selectively permable mean?

it means it let some materials pass through it while block the way of others for example; the outer shell of egg


What is one way that members of archaebacteria are different from eubacteria?

They have different types of cell walls and cell membranes.


What is a selectively permeable membrane and how does it function?

It is a membrane in cells that only allows certain things in. For example a long time ago large and small cats had an epidemic of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (aids). a few cats had cells with selectively permeable membranes that for some reason wouldn't let the aids virus in. Those cats survived and now most cats are resistant to aids.IN ADDITION:Imagine 3 sheets of paper. The first sheet had holes about the size of a golf ball. The second had holes the size of a grape. The third had holes the size of a needle in it. You stack the three together with a space between the three so that these particles can move around a little bit. Now, mash up a whole orange and pour this material on the three membranes. The orange peel can go only as far as the holes will allow it and will stop at the first and may make it to the 2nd sheet. The seeds and pulp will go through the first and second layer but will get stopped by the third. The juice will pass through all three. Another good example is your skin, It allows carbon dioxide and sweat to exit the body but keeps the blood in. It selects what can and cannot pass through its membrane. Some membranes work in one direction only, others allow passage either way. exaclty yay we did it lolAnswerplasma membrane


What do cell membranes do in both plants and animal cells?

Cell membranes control what passes in and out of the cell. The cell membrane functions this way in both plant and animal cells.-Chocolate391

Related questions

A selectively permeable membrane is defined as one that?

... Only allows certain molecules to pass through the "membrane." Think of the membrane as a one way gate. For example some selectively permeable membranes only allow H2O to pass through the wall in one direction and block other molecules.


What does the term selectively permable mean?

it means it let some materials pass through it while block the way of others for example; the outer shell of egg


What is one way that members of archaebacteria are different from eubacteria?

They have different types of cell walls and cell membranes.


In what way is a cell membrane selective?

very complicated question that is better addressed by a cell biology text but in general cell membrane itself is non-polar and allows small non-polar molecules through it also has protein that are built to selectively let in molecule based on commands from the body


What is a selectively permeable membrane and how does it function?

It is a membrane in cells that only allows certain things in. For example a long time ago large and small cats had an epidemic of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (aids). a few cats had cells with selectively permeable membranes that for some reason wouldn't let the aids virus in. Those cats survived and now most cats are resistant to aids.IN ADDITION:Imagine 3 sheets of paper. The first sheet had holes about the size of a golf ball. The second had holes the size of a grape. The third had holes the size of a needle in it. You stack the three together with a space between the three so that these particles can move around a little bit. Now, mash up a whole orange and pour this material on the three membranes. The orange peel can go only as far as the holes will allow it and will stop at the first and may make it to the 2nd sheet. The seeds and pulp will go through the first and second layer but will get stopped by the third. The juice will pass through all three. Another good example is your skin, It allows carbon dioxide and sweat to exit the body but keeps the blood in. It selects what can and cannot pass through its membrane. Some membranes work in one direction only, others allow passage either way. exaclty yay we did it lolAnswerplasma membrane


What do cell membranes do in both plants and animal cells?

Cell membranes control what passes in and out of the cell. The cell membrane functions this way in both plant and animal cells.-Chocolate391


Name three jobs of the cell membrane?

The three main functions of the cell membrane are: 1) It regulates materials that come in and out of a cell. It is selectively-permeable, meaning it allows certain molecules or substances to enter but keeps the others out, and vice versa (active and passive transport). In this way, it also protects the cell from harmful substances from the outside. 2) It helps to retain the cell's shape (along with the cytoskeleton) and maintain its integrity, as well as the organelles and materials inside. 3) To send and receive messages between cells.


What is one way that member of Archaebacteria are different from members of Eubacteria?

They have different types of cell walls and cell membranes.


Why is the cell membrane called gatekeepers of the cell?

The cell membrane is a gatekeeper of the cell which means it chooses the cells intake. Any toxic substances will not be allowed in the cell. Water for example is a fluid that is perm permeable. Permeable means "allowing passage" and impermeable means "to not allow any passage". Cell membrane is made up of 2 layers of fat particles. Many of the protein are imbedded.


What parts make up the cell membrane?

Most of the cell membrane are made up of proteins and phospholipids. The phospholipids make up the basic cell body, with tiny holes scattered around. It is not a solid piece. The proteins gather around the tiny holes and help move molecules in and out of the cell.


What is the best way to describe the chemical role of membranes within a cell?

it recognize the foreign and familiar molecules.


What is the function of a cell membranes?

The cell membrane controls exchange of materials such as nutrients and waste between cells and their environment. They have other important functions, for example to enable cells to receive hormones.Cell membrane is not a function of the brain. This is not found in plants.