As a phospholipid bilayer, the lipid portion of the outer membrane is impermeable to charged molecules. Although, porin channels are present in the outer membrane that allow for passive transport, across the outer membrane, of many ions, sugars, and amino acids. These molecules are present in the periplasm, the region between the cytoplasmic and outer membranes. The periplasm contains the peptidoglycan layer and also many proteins responsible for substrate and reception of extracellular signals.