2024-03-03 08:32:53
Studying the cell is one of the foundations of biology that students go through in middle school, and it requires a lot of understanding, awareness, and memorization as well.
If you want to know the function of the plasma membrane in the cell for the purpose of study or general information.
This article is completely suitable for you, as it provides you with a simplified and detailed explanation of the function and structure of the plasma membrane.
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What is the plasma membrane?
Before knowing the function of the plasma membrane in the cell, we must know what the plasma membrane is, as it is the dividing wall between the internal environment and the external environment of the cell. It is characterized by several things that allow passage with optional permeability.
This helps protect the cell and keep it alive, and also helps it perform several functions, such as regulating transport and cell signaling.
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Structure of the plasma membrane
The plasma membrane consists of a lipid layer consisting of double elements, and it has two opposite properties at the same time: it allows the passage of water on one side, and prevents its passage on the other side, which gives the plasma membrane its nature that allows for selective permeability.
In order to understand the function of the plasma membrane in the cell, you must understand that the plasma membrane also consists of proteins that perform multiple functions, such as transporting materials across the plasma membrane. These proteins represent about 50% of the volume of the plasma membrane, and are mostly composed of three types: lipoproteins. Peripheral proteins and integral proteins.
There are also molecules Cholesterol Which has a major role in performing the function of the plasma membrane in the cell, as it allows the process of fluidity in the plasma membrane, and intervenes in several interactions specific to fatty acids.
The most important of them is resistance to freezing for organisms that live in cold regions, while it reduces cholesterol in organisms that live in warm regions.
There are also surface markers, which are one of the elements that help in communication between cells with each other.
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Function of the plasma membrane in the cell
The primary role of the plasma membrane is to protect the cell, prevent the entry of harmful substances, and allow the entry of beneficial essential molecules, such as proteins. It is a selective barrier that allows ions and nutrients to pass inward, and allows waste to pass outward, which maintains cellular homeostasis. It appears It’s like a guard and security device in the cell.
There is another dimension to the function of the plasma membrane in the cell, as it performs a group of complex roles by detecting substances of different sizes, charges, and properties as they pass into the cell, which allows them to pass or not to pass in a way that suits cellular functions, and in a way that suits the vital preservation of the cell’s internal environment. .
The plasma membrane also maintains concentrations Materials In the cell, in addition to facilitating the process of active transport and passive transport, which maximizes the function of the plasma membrane in the cell, thus maintaining the energy level without wasting or spending.
The plasma membrane is also responsible for cellular response and receiving external signals, through protein receptors, which are a non-wired device in the plasma membrane.
There is also a major role for the plasma membrane in immune responses and cell adhesion to other cells through surface markers present in the plasma membrane, which can distinguish between body cells and foreign cells, which is one of the things that enhances the function of the plasma membrane in the cell.
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Prokaryotic plasma membrane
There are several differences between the plasma membrane in a prokaryotic cell and a eukaryotic cell, which appears in various cellular functions. The function of the plasma membrane in a prokaryotic cell is simpler than in a eukaryotic cell.
This is because Plasma membrane It lacks organelles, consists mainly of a layer of lipids and proteins, and does not have the structure and division found in a eukaryotic cell.
Eukaryotic plasma membrane
The function of the plasma membrane in eukaryotic cells such as animal and plant cells is more structural and complex.
This is due to the presence of organelles that divide cellular functions and perform complex roles that help control multiple processes such as the endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi bodies, and mitochondria, which makes the eukaryotic plasma membrane more complex and structured to suit the required biological roles.
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Liquid mosaic model
The mosaic model theory is one of the methods of explaining the structure of the cell membrane, as well as explaining the function of the plasma membrane in the cell. The membrane then takes up a viscous liquid similar to vegetable oil, while all parts float cell In the vicinity of this fluid, which allows it to move lateral within the membrane.
The model includes the term mosaic, a reference to the different substances found in the cell membrane that we mentioned earlier, which makes visualizing the plasma membrane fairly easy.
In conclusion, we hope that we have added to your information the definition of the plasma membrane, its structure, and the function of the plasma membrane in the cell.
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