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Cell Membrane (Plasma Membrane)
Cell Membrane (Plasma Membrane)
The outer thin membrane or the layer of the living cell is known as the cell membrane.
It is also known as the plasma membrane in animal cells.
In the plant cells, it is known as plasmalemma.
The term cell membrane was given by Nageli and Cramer (1885) for the membrane
covering of the protoplast.
Inside constituents are proteins, carbohydrates and, nucleic acids. They are usually large
in size. They are soluble in water and consists of charge.
The outside environment of the cell is a bit different. The cell needs the nutrients too for
its growth and development. Such nutrients along with the toxic substances which are
harmful to the cell may be present in the outside environment.
There can be the presence of ions, acids, and alkalis.
Here the cell membrane acts as the barrier or like the checkpoints.
The small molecules, solute, and lipid-soluble can go inside the cell membrane but the
large molecules, water-soluble substances can’t go inside.
It is impermeable to them. So it has got various mechanism by which such substances can
be imported and exported.
Different types of transport systems are available like active transport and passive
transport.
Similarly, there is the presence of facilitators and pumps.
It allows only those things essential for cells to go inside whereas it limits the entry of
such toxic substances.
All the waste products of the cell are made exit to the outside.
Cell membrane helps to maintain homeostasis.
It provides protection to all the internal organelles of the cell.
Phospholipids- 55%
Glycolipids- 5%
Steroids- 20%
Cholesterol- 70%
Phospholipids- 30%
It was proposed by James Danielli and Hugh Davsan in the year 1935.
This model suggests the cell membrane as the solid and the stable structure.
Four molecular layers are present in it i.e. two phospholipids and two protein layers.
It consists of the phospholipid. It is based on the basis of physical and chemical
properties of the plasma membrane.
The plasma membrane is considered to be a protein-lipid-protein sandwich. The plasma
membrane is of three-layer.
The middle one is the phospholipid bilayer.
Outer and inner denser protein is a monolayer.
Protein and lipid are present in the P-L-L-P pattern.
Protein molecules contain both polar and non-polar side chains.
They are globular and aid in giving stability to the plasma membrane.
Each phospholipid molecule is a polar molecule and consists of the hydrophilic and the
hydrophobic end.
Head (glycerols) of the phospholipid molecule: They are directed in the opposite
directions.
They are associated with the protein molecules by the Hydrogen bond, ionic bond, and
electrostatic force of attraction.
Tail end ( Fatty acids): They are held together by the weak Vander wal force. They lie
facing each other.
The plasma membrane is a porous membrane having microscopic pores of 7-10 A.
Intrinsic protein
Extrinsic protein
Intrinsic protein
Within the phospholipid bilayer, those intrinsic proteins are found to be embedded
inside.
Intrinsic or integral proteins or tunnel proteins are soluble in nature. Integral proteins
form a channel for the passage of water, ions, and other water-soluble small-sized
solutes.
It has got two parts:
Hydrophilic head: It is polar in nature. It protrudes out from the cell membrane.
Hydrophobic tail: It is non-polar in nature. They are present inside of the membrane facing
towards the center.
Extrinsic protein
They are present on two surfaces of the membrane in the floating form.
Extrinsic proteins are attached to the phosphoryl surface.
They are electrically charged too. Ionic bonds or calcium bridges help in the attachment.
They are loosely attached.
They are also called peripheral proteins.
They are located outside of the lipid bilayer.
They are soluble in nature.
This fluid mosaic model is the scientific and widely accepted model of the cell membrane.
In the cell membrane, glycolipids and glycoproteins are present. It helps in recognizing
the cell.
It is essential during the defense against microbes and tissue formation.
The binding of the ligands to the specific receptors induces signal transduction.
Blood grouping
Based on the antigens present in the cell membrane, blood grouping can be done and
separated as A, B, AB, O.
Digestion
Locomotion
In the amoeba, pseudopodia are present for locomotion which is the modified structure of
the cell membrane.
Active transport
The carrier protein present in the cell membrane helps in the active transport of materials.
Bulk transport
Exocytosis
It helps in the removal of the waste materials and the secretory materials.
Osmosis
Diffusion
Metabolism
Cell membrane performs metabolic functions.
Several enzymes are present on the cell surface which is involved in the breakdown of
extracellular nutrients.
Some are involved in the biosynthesis of the cell wall.
Incase of prokaryotes, respiratory enzymes are found in the plasma membrane.