Journal of Membrane Science & Technology

The Importance and Structure of the Cell Membrane

Edgar Alexander^{* 1}Department of Membrane, University of Leiden, RA Leiden, Netherlands
^*Correspondence: Edgar Alexander, Department of Membrane, University of Leiden, RA Leiden, Netherlands, Email:

Received: 01-Jul-2022, Manuscript No. JMST-22-17805; Editor assigned: 04-Jul-2022, Pre QC No. JMST-22-17805 (PQ); Reviewed: 18-Jul-2022, QC No. JMST-22-17805; Revised: 25-Jul-2022, Manuscript No. JMST-22-17805 (R); Published: 04-Aug-2022, DOI: 10.35248/2155-9589.22.12.291

Description

The Cell Membrane (CM) is also called as the Plasma Membrane (PM), membrane proteins, or plasmalemma is a biological membrane that separates or protects the inside of the all cells from the outside environment (the extracellular space). The Cell Membrane (CM) is a lipid bilayer made up of two layers of phospholipid bilayer with cholesterol in the body (a lipid component) alternated between them, which maintains appropriate membrane permeability at different temperatures. Membrane is contained membrane proteins, which include essential protein molecules that encompass the membrane and act as membrane transporters, as well as peripheral proteins that loosely attach to the cell membrane's external (peripheral) side and act as enzymes to facilitate interaction with the cell's environment.

It is also providing a stable environment inside of the cell, and that membrane provides various functions. One function is to transport protein into the cell, and the other is to transport toxic substances out of the cell. Another difference is that the cell's plasma membrane contains proteins that interact with other cells. These proteins can be integral membrane proteins, which have a carbohydrate and a protein molecule, or lipid proteins, which have a calorie and a protein. The proteins which connect outside of the plasma membrane enable one cell to interact with another cell. The cell membrane is also acts as supporting structure for the cell. And different types of plasma membranes occur in different types of cells, and the plasma membrane contains a lot of cholesterol as a lipid component.

Membrane proteins are also classified into two types. Extrinsic proteins have been broadly attached to the bilayer's electrical charges phosphoryl surface through an ionic bonds or phosphorus marine structures. They can also interact to the intrinsic proteins, which are the second type of protein. The intrinsic proteins are, as the names indicate, deeply embedded in the phospholipid bilayer. In general, membranes that are actively involved in metabolism include protein content.

Structure of the Cell Membrane

The cell membrane is made up of proteins and lipids. Depending on the size and function of the membrane in the body, lipids can contain 20 to 80 percent of the membrane, with proteins accounting for the remaining. Whereas the lipids start contributing to membrane flexibility, protein molecules monitor and maintain the chemical environment of the cell and helps in the transfer of molecules across the membrane.

Lipids in the cell membrane

Phospholipids are an essential part of the cell membranes. Phospholipids spontaneously form their hydrophilic head areas to face the aqueous cytoplasmic membrane and extracellular fluid, while their hydrophobic tail areas move it away from the cytoplasmic membrane and extracellular fluid. The lipid bilayer is semi-permeable, allowing only certain molecules can pass. Cholesterol is another lipid made from animal cell membranes. Cholesterol molecules are distributed differentially between membrane phospholipids. By preventing phospholipids becoming compressed around each other, this helps to maintain cell membranes from being stiff. It is not obtained from plants cell membranes. Glycolipids are carbohydrate channels that are connected to cell membrane surfaces.

Proteins present in the cell membranes

There are two main types of associated proteins in the cell membrane. Membrane proteins operate outside the membrane and are connected to it through relationships with other proteins. Trans membrane proteins are embedded into the membrane, and the most of people transmit through it. These membrane proteins have components exposed on both sides of the membrane. Cell membrane proteins perform a number of functions.

Structural proteins assist in the support and shape of the cell

Cell membrane carrier proteins require cells to communicate with their environment by using hormone levels, neurotransmitter systems, and other biochemical compounds. Carrier proteins, such as cellular proteins, facilitate the transport of molecules across cell membranes. A carbohydrate system is connected to glycoproteins. They are embedded in the cell membrane and helps in cell-to-cell communication as well as molecule transport across.