Plasma Membrane (Noun)
Meaning
A thin membrane (a double layer of lipids) enclosing the cytoplasm of a cell; proteins in the membrane control passage of ions (like sodium or potassium or calcium) in and out of the cell; "all cells have a cell membrane".
Classification
Nouns denoting body parts.
Examples
- The plasma membrane is a thin, semi-permeable lipid bilayer that surrounds the cytoplasm of a cell and regulates the movement of materials in and out.
- The cell membrane, also known as the plasma membrane, is composed of a double layer of lipids with embedded proteins that control the passage of ions and molecules.
- Proteins embedded in the plasma membrane act as receptors, channels, and pumps to control the movement of ions and molecules across the membrane.
- The plasma membrane is selectively permeable, allowing certain ions and molecules to pass through while restricting others, which is crucial for maintaining cellular homeostasis.
- The structure and function of the plasma membrane vary among different cell types, but its primary role of regulating the movement of materials in and out of the cell remains the same.