In this article, we will explore more about one of the most commonly known biological membrane, the plasma membrane. Check out the science of cell drinking called Pinocytosis
Discover its various properties and characteristics that make it different as compared with other biological membrane types. Let’s take a closer look.
What is the Plasma Membrane? The plasma membrane[1] is a biological membrane that serves as the boundary between the outer and inner cellular environment
Interestingly, when placed in water, the plasma membrane can easily transport into bilayers and repair itself whenever torn.
1. Phospholipids Location : Main framework of the membrane.
The first important component of plasma membrane is the phospholipidis, a type of lipid that is made up of a polar head group and a hydrophobic tail. Because of their amphipathic nature (being composed of both hydrophilic and hydrophobic portion), they are able to create bilayers when placed in water.
In this kind of environment, the hydrophilic heads of the phospholipid are what face the water at the surface whereas the hydrophobic tails are protected from the water inside.
2. Cholesterol Location : In the hydrophobic tails of phospholipids.
Like phospholipids, cholesterol[2] is also composed of a hydrophilic and a hydrophobic part. Its OH (hydroxyl) group is what connects to the phospholipid head while the rest just connects with the fatty acid.
Without this molecule, the plasma membrane will become very watery and not rigid enough and it will be permeable to ions and molecules.
3. Proteins Location : In the phospholipid bilayer.
The plasma membrane itself is embedded with a wide variety of proteins
Such include the driving of the entry and exit of molecules, forming boundaries between the inner and outer cellular environment, and responding to various receptors in the environment and from other cells.
4. Carbohydrates Location : Found to be attached with lipids and proteins.
Carbohydrates lipids
In general, most plasma membranes[3] are highly permeable to small uncharged particles and some non-polar molecules like oxygen and carbon dioxide. They also allow uncharged polar molecules like water but not larger ones like sugars (i.e. glucose).
Interestingly, they also do not allow the entry of charged molecules, regardless of their size. Such semi-permeability[4] is highly necessary for overall cell control, maintenance of cell composition, and constant internal environment.
Functions of the Plasma Membrane As the components of the cell membrane are known at this point, what is the function of the plasma membrane? Let’s explore. The structure and function of cells are greatly determined by the plasma membrane themselves, which do not only act as a barrier between the internal and external cellular environments. Other functions are elaborated below.
1. Role in Selective Transport As alluded to earlier, one of the most distinct properties of the plasma membrane is semi-permeability.
This selective property makes sure that the important biomolecules like carbohydrates, amino acids, and lipids can easily penetrate through the membrane, essential metabolites stay inside, and waste materials move out of the cell.
2.Function As Receptors Transmembrane receptors (also called cell-surface receptors) are kinds of proteins that can bind to external ligands (ions) and are the ones that line the plasma membrane for their function during signal transduction
Because of these transmembrane receptors in the plasma membrane, ions found outside the cells no longer have to enter the cell in order to initiate action. Hence, the process of signal transduction becomes faster.
3.Provide Additional Support This function of plasma membrane can readily be observed in epithelial cells
In these locations, the plasma membrane of a single epithelial cell tends to connect with other epithelial cells, therefore providing additional structural rigidity to the epithelium itself.
Variation Among Living Organisms The structure, fluidity, and overall characteristics of plasma membranes are precisely regulated among living organisms. For instance, the lipid bilayers of most plasma membranes are not exclusively made up of phospholipids but are also composed of other components.
1. In Prokaryotes and In plants The prokaryotic plasma membrane come as an inner layer of protection[5] because of the cell wall
The plasma membrane is what lines the cell wall and it functions as the final filter between the inner cell and the outside environment.
2. Eukaryotic Animal Cells At present, it is believed that eukaryotic organisms organelles , that are enclosed in cell membranes.
With the exception of plant cells, the eukaryotic cell membrane allows the segregation of the internal and outside cellular environment.
As seen from above, the plasma membrane can become highly diverse within living organisms. After all, it is the components of the “mosaic ” that helps the plasma membrane. If they didn’t, our cells will merely become unrelated entities rather than the organisms that we are. What do you think?
Cite This Page References [1] – “Structure of the plasma membrane (article) | . Accessed August 04, 2017. Link .[2] – “Cholesterol’s Importance to the Cell Membrane” . Accessed August 04, 2017. Link .[3] – “Cell Membranes – The Cell – NCBI Bookshelf” . Accessed August 04, 2017. Link .[4] – “Transport across Cell Membranes – Molecular Cell Biology – NCBI Bookshelf” . Accessed August 04, 2017. Link .[5] – “Molecular Expressions Cell Biology: Plasma Membrane” . Accessed August 04, 2017. Link .
