Plasma membrane is the outermost layer in cells. It separates the content of cell from their external environment. It allows the materials from surrounding to enter and exit the cell. It also allows the materials from cell to exit outside.

The cell membrane is a fluid matrix made of a phospholipid bilayer. The hydrophobic parts of the molecules on the bilayer face each other, whereas the hydrophilic parts form the inner and outer surfaces of the cell membrane. …

Phospholipids form the basic structure of a cell membrane, called the lipid bilayer. Scattered in the lipid bilayer are cholesterol molecules, which help to keep the membrane fluid consistent. Membrane proteins are important for transporting substances across the cell membrane.

Terms in this set (5)

• protects the cell by acting as a barrier.
• regulates the transport of substances in and out of the cell.
• receives chemical messengers from other cell.
• acts as a receptor.
• cell mobility, secretions, and absorptions of substances.

Functions of the Plasma Membrane

• A Physical Barrier.
• Selective Permeability.
• Endocytosis and Exocytosis.
• Cell Signaling.
• Phospholipids.
• Proteins.
• Carbohydrates.
• Fluid Mosaic Model.

Plasma membrane is composed of organic molecules like lipids and proteins. It acts as a semipermeable membrane that allows the exchange of materials between cell and its surrounding. A semipermeable membrane allows the passage of specific material, whereas, it restrict other materials to pass through it.

Lipids and proteins constitute the major components of plasma membrane. Some of the proteins and lipids may have oligosaccharides, covalently attached to them. There are glycoproteins mainly facing the extracelluar matrix and some cholestrol molecules to maintain the membrane fluidity.

What is the main component of the cell membrane? phospholipids; Although phospholipids have a polar head, the long fatty acid tails are nonpolar, making the membrane mostly nonpolar.

the ER

fluid mosaic model