The lipid tails of one layer face the lipid tails of the other layer, meeting at the interface of the two layers. Cholesterol and various proteins are also embedded within the membrane giving the membrane a variety of functions described below.Ī single phospholipid molecule has a phosphate group on one end, called the “head,” and two side-by-side chains of fatty acids that make up the lipid “tails” ( Figure 3.1.1). The cell membrane is an extremely pliable structure composed primarily of two layers of phospholipids (a “bilayer”). Structure and Composition of the Cell Membrane This cell membrane provides a protective barrier around the cell and regulates which materials can pass in or out. Just as the outer layer of your skin separates your body from its environment, the cell membrane (also known as the plasma membrane) separates the inner contents of a cell from its exterior environment. Compare and contrast different types of passive transport with active transport, providing examples of eachĭespite differences in structure and function, all living cells in multicellular organisms have a surrounding cell membrane.Describe how molecules cross the cell membrane based on their properties and concentration gradients.Relate structures of the cell membrane to its functions.Describe the molecular components that make up the cell membrane. ![]() By the end of this section, you will be able to:
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