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The main component of cellular membranes is the phospholipid bilayer. The bilayer is composed of molecules that have hydrophilic (water loving) heads and hydrophobic (water hating) tails. These molecules stack up beside themselves putting all their hydrophobic tails together to hide them from the water based environment all cells live in. The bilayer then acts to protect the cell from any water soluble contaminants that pass by using the hydrophobic bilayer to keep them out.

Proteins embedded in the membrane allow selected objects to pass through that exactly match the protein's active site much like a key opens a lock. The proteins are the lock, and the active site is their keyhole. When a molecule that the cell wishes to engulf passes by and the protein recognizes a unique feature on the molecule it acts as a key to open the lock.

A virus can beat the system by mimicing good molecules and are taken in by mistake.

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What 2 thing make up the cell membrane?

The cell membrane is primarily composed of lipids (such as phospholipids) and proteins. These two components work together to control the passage of substances in and out of the cell, maintain cell structure, and facilitate cell communication.


What are the four main cell components?

The four main cell components are the cell membrane, nucleus, cytoplasm, and organelles. The cell membrane acts as a barrier, the nucleus houses genetic material, the cytoplasm contains various organelles, and organelles carry out specific functions within the cell.


What makes up the membrane of a cell?

The cell membrane is primarily composed of lipids such as phospholipids, cholesterol, and glycolipids. These lipids form a lipid bilayer that surrounds the cell, providing structure and regulating the movement of molecules in and out of the cell. Proteins are also embedded in the membrane, serving various functions such as transport, signaling, and structural support.


Which of these are major components of a cell plasma membrane ribosomes Golgi Apparatus and ER?

Ribosomes are not major components of the cell plasma membrane. However, the Golgi Apparatus and Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) are major components of the cell plasma membrane. The Golgi Apparatus is involved in modifying, sorting, and packaging proteins for secretion, while the ER is responsible for protein synthesis and lipid metabolism.


What are two main components of cellular membranes?

Partially permeable , permeable , immpermeable .

Related Questions

Substances that form parts of a cell membrane and many cell organelles are what?

They are of two types. The components that assemble to form the Cell [bi-lipid-layer] membrane are called fatty-acids, and the mostly proteinaceous Adjuncts,/ Ancillary Components are known as Cell Membrane Control Factors.


Do a cell membrane guides the cell?

No A cell membrane does not guide a cell The function of the cell membrane is to enclose all the components of the cell into a self sufficient packet.


Phospholipids are important components of what?

Cell membrane


What components of the cell membrane contribute to the mosaic quality of the cell membrane?

The mosaic quality of the cell membrane is due to the presence of various components such as phospholipids, cholesterol, proteins, and glycolipids. These components are arranged in a dynamic and fluid manner, creating a mosaic pattern that allows for flexibility and functionality of the cell membrane. Additionally, the diverse composition of these components helps in maintaining the structural integrity of the membrane.


What 2 thing make up the cell membrane?

The cell membrane is primarily composed of lipids (such as phospholipids) and proteins. These two components work together to control the passage of substances in and out of the cell, maintain cell structure, and facilitate cell communication.


What is a cell membrane of?

There are multiple membranes in a cell. Two of them are the cell membrane and the nucleur membrane.


The major component of the cell membrane?

The major component of the cell membrane is phospholipids. They form a lipid bilayer that acts as a barrier to control the passage of molecules in and out of the cell. Proteins embedded in this lipid bilayer also play key roles in cell membrane function.


What are the two major components of extracellular fluid?

Extracellular components include cellulose, teeth, bone cartilage, and connective tissue. To sum it up, extracellular components are material outside the cell membrane.


What are the four main cell components?

The four main cell components are the cell membrane, nucleus, cytoplasm, and organelles. The cell membrane acts as a barrier, the nucleus houses genetic material, the cytoplasm contains various organelles, and organelles carry out specific functions within the cell.


Is cell membane a plant cell or a animal cell?

A Cell Membrane Is Both. It is What All The Components Within A Cell That Makes Up A Cell Membrane such as the cytoplasm, nucleus, vacuole, cell wall etc. a cell membrane is both animal and plant cell.


What cell components will match of an organ transplant?

plasma membrane proteins


What makes up the membrane of a cell?

The cell membrane is primarily composed of lipids such as phospholipids, cholesterol, and glycolipids. These lipids form a lipid bilayer that surrounds the cell, providing structure and regulating the movement of molecules in and out of the cell. Proteins are also embedded in the membrane, serving various functions such as transport, signaling, and structural support.