5: Structure and Function of Plasma Membranes
- Page ID
- 104308
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The plasma membrane, which is also called the cell membrane, has many functions, but the most basic one is to define the borders of the cell and keep the cell functional. The plasma membrane is selectively permeable. This means that the membrane allows some materials to freely enter or leave the cell, while other materials cannot move freely, but require the use of a specialized structure, and occasionally, even energy investment for crossing.
Thumbnail: The cell membrane. (Public Domain; LadyofHats via Wikimedia Commons).