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Cell Membrane

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Submitted By kamut09
Words 1191
Pages 5
Josiah. Ayala, Lizeth. Perez
Mrs. Meyers
Biology AP October 2, 2014

In the early twentieth century, little was known about cell membranes. For years scientists looked through the microscope in search of answers. Since the discovery of many new information conducted through observations and research, they were able to understand that plasma membrane is an essential biological structure to all cells. It functions as an envelope by keeping all a cells organelles contained. It also serves as a gateway and barrier to certain foreign substance. Although plasma membrane may seem simple on the outside, it’s actually a complex structure of molecules working in coordination with each other to function properly.
The cell membrane, also known as the plasma membrane, is a phospholipid bilayer, which consists of Polar, hydrophilic phospholipid heads and non-polar, hydrophobic fatty acid tails. The plasma membrane is constructed in a specific way where phospholipid tails point towards each other, away from polar substances and the polar heads are positioned in the other direction towards aqueous environments. Because of this special chemically influenced arrangement of molecules, an impermeable membrane selective to small, non-polar is formed substances.
The cell’s plasma membrane also contains a diverse array of proteins amidst its phospholipid layer. Proteins are extremely important as they carry out many specialized functions for the plasma membrane. Proteins imbedded in between the phospholipid bilayer are called integral proteins and function as pumps or channels for small molecules to enter or leave the cell. They protrude from in between the phospholipid bilayer with their hydrophilic heads pointing towards the aqueous environment and polar substances in facilitated diffusion. Integral proteins such as, aquaporin are used to transport polar substances such as

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