Advertisement
Advertisement
cell membrane
[sel mem-breyn]
noun
the semipermeable membrane enclosing the cytoplasm of a cell.
cell membrane
noun
Also called: plasmalemma. plasma membrane.a very thin membrane, composed of lipids and protein, that surrounds the cytoplasm of a cell and controls the passage of substances into and out of the cell
cell membrane
The thin membrane that forms the outer surface of the protoplasm of a cell and regulates the passage of materials in and out of the cell. It is made up of proteins and lipids and often contains molecular receptors. The membranes of organelles within the cell are made of the same basic material as the cell membrane. In plant cells, the cell membrane is surrounded by a rigid cell wall.
Also called plasma membrane
Word History and Origins
Origin of cell membrane1
Example Sentences
Oxidative stress causes damage to our DNA, cell membranes and tissues, which can lead to chronic diseases such as cancer and heart disease.
The fat profiles of unprocessed foods are similar to the fat composition in cell membranes.
They then examined the hemagglutinin proteins, or spikes, on the outer surface of the virus, since those enable it to latch onto the cell membrane of its host.
"We show for the first time that empty cages are located closer to the cell membrane. This observation hints at a functional role for the empty cages found in neurons."
Learning from water bears could also help humans with "knowledge of preserving/restoring cell membranes" and thereby "help prolong the shelf-life of medications such as antibiotics so they could save human lives."
Advertisement
When To Use
The cell membrane is the thin layer that encloses a cell’s cytoplasm, which is the substance between the membrane and the nucleus. It allows beneficial things to pass through while blocking harmful ones.The cell is the basic structural unit of all living organisms. It is a microscopic structure consisting of a nucleus surrounded by the cytoplasm and enclosed by a membrane—t cell membrane. In general, a membrane is a thin barrier or covering.The membrane consists of a double layer made up of lipid molecules and large protein molecules. Lipids and proteins are the basic building blocks of living cells. They move fluidly in the cell membrane and function like a system of gates, giving the membrane its ability to allow molecules to pass through. For this reason, the membrane is described as semipermeable (meaning it is capable of allowing things to pass through it).Plants cells also have a rigid outer wall in addition to a cell membrane.The cell membrane is also called the plasma membrane or the plasmalemma.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Browse