CELL MEMBRANE-STRUCTURE

SUMMARY

1. Semipermeable membrane whose permeability can be varied by numerous regulated ion channels and transport proteins embedded within.
2. Formed by amphipathic phospholipid molecules: possess a hydrophobic 'tail' end & hydrophilic 'head' end.
3. In eukaryotes (cells containing nuclei), cell membranes contain various glycosphingolipids, sphingomyelin, cholesterol, phospholipids, phosphatidylcholine.

OTHER PROPERTIES
4. The membrane is preferentially permiable to lipid-soluble substances, has low surface tension, and high electrical resistance.
5. The protein structure of membrances varies not only from cell to cell but also with the same cell.

Reference(s)

Barrett, K.E., Barman, S.M., Brooks, H.L., X, J. and Ganong, W.F. (2019). Ganong’s review of medical physiology. 26th ed. New York: Mcgraw-Hill Education