006 - Cell Membrane

Cell Membrane

The outer boundary of a cell that separates the cell from its environment.

Transport

The movement of substances across the cell membrane.

Phospholipids

Molecules that make up the cell membrane, consisting of a hydrophilic head and hydrophobic tails.

Phospholipid Bilayer

The arrangement of phospholipids in two layers that make up the cell membrane.

Fluid Mosaic Model

A model that describes the cell membrane as a fluid structure composed of various components such as phospholipids, proteins, carbohydrates, and cholesterol.

Selective Barrier

The cell membrane regulates the movement of materials into and out of the cell, allowing only certain substances to cross.

Selective Transport

The movement of substances across the cell membrane, which is selective and allows only certain particles to pass through.

Impermeable

Refers to a membrane that does not allow anything to pass through.

Permeable

Refers to a membrane that allows all materials to pass through.

Semi-permeable

Refers to a membrane that allows some particles to pass through while excluding others.

Hydrophilic

The phosphate head of a phospholipid molecule that is "water-loving."

Hydrophobic

The lipid tail of a phospholipid molecule that is "water-hating."