The cell membrane is a thin, flexible envelope that surrounds the cell. It controls what enters and leaves the cell and protects the internal environment of the cell.
Think of the cell membrane as a bouncer at a club. It decides who gets in (nutrients) and who gets out (waste), maintaining an optimal environment inside.
Phospholipid Bilayer: The basic structure of a biological membrane, composed of two layers of phospholipids. This structure forms a barrier that helps keep ions, proteins and other molecules where they are needed within cells.
Transport Proteins: These are proteins embedded in the cell membrane which help move substances across it.
Semi-permeable Membrane: A type of biological or synthetic membrane that will allow certain molecules or ions to pass through it by diffusion and occasionally specialized 'facilitated diffusion'.
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