answersLogoWhite

0

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.

User Avatar

Wiki User

16y ago

What else can I help you with?

Continue Learning about Natural Sciences

What does the term selectively permable mean?

"Selectively permeable" refers to a membrane that allows certain substances to pass through while blocking others. This selectivity is based on the size, charge, or other properties of the molecules trying to cross the membrane. An example is a cell membrane, which permits the passage of specific molecules necessary for the cell's function while blocking others.


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

They have different types of cell walls and cell membranes.


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


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

Related Questions

What does the term selectively permable mean?

"Selectively permeable" refers to a membrane that allows certain substances to pass through while blocking others. This selectivity is based on the size, charge, or other properties of the molecules trying to cross the membrane. An example is a cell membrane, which permits the passage of specific molecules necessary for the cell's function while blocking others.


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 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 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


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

They have different types of cell walls and cell membranes.


What is the easiest way to define osmosis?

Osmosis is the movement of water molecules from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration through a selectively permeable membrane, such as a cell membrane. This process helps to maintain the balance of water and solutes in living organisms.


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.


Something that performs the same function as a cell membrane?

A plastic ziploc bag. It allows certain things to permeate the plastic, and other things not to.


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

it recognize the foreign and familiar molecules.