What does the cell membrane regulate?

Answer 1

It doesn't. It has whats called a selectively permeable membrane which means its sort of like a screen. A screen lets air in, but keeps flys out. Right? Well, the cell membrane is the same way. It lets in food and water molecules because their smaller and keeps bacteria out. It does this by a process called diffusion. Diffusion is the process in which a molecule moves from a place of higher concentration (outside of the cell) to lower concentration (inside of the cell). Get it?

Answer 2

Well its a simple matter of when the membrane has to grow (like for cell division) metabolism switches to glycolysis and the metabolites normall used for oxidative phosphorylation are used to make the various phospholipids that make up the membrane. These are then transported to the membrane.

Answer 3

1. The cell membrane controls what goes in and out of the cell.
2. It checks whether the substance is good or not.

Answer 4

In essence membranes are essential for the integrity and function of the cell.

Answer 5

min-limited by ability to pack structural components into the cell.

max-limited by the ratio of surface area to volume

Answer 6

The cell membrane can regulate its size by mitosis. If a cell gets too large it can't keep up with the energy demands so it replicates itself by splitting in half.

Answer 7

Yes. Specifically, proteins embedded in the membranes regulate the movement of molecules. The lipids are there to maintain structure and simply block hydrophilic substances.