CELL ORGANELLES: cell membrane or plasma membrane

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ALL CELLS / Animal Cell : nucleus / nucleolus / nuclear envelope / nuclear pore / centrioles / cell membrane / microtubule / smooth endoplasmic reticulum / rough endoplasmic reticulum / ribosomes / polysomes / lysosome / peroxisome / mitochondrion / Golgi /

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ORGANELLE DIAGRAM: CELL MEMBRANE: In this picture, the greenish "sheet" represents the cell membrane, whose curving cut edge can be seen crossing the image from lower left to upper right corner. The cell membrane separates the cell from its surroundings and comprises a double molecular layer. It has an "oily" interior that repels water (it is hydrophobic ) while both surfaces are attracted to water (they are hydrophilic ). The cell membrane is effectively continuous with the endoplasmic reticulum and the nuclear membrane. The cell membrane at the cell surface has many proteins associated with it. Some proteins act as receptors for molecules outside the cell, whilst others transport materials across the membrane. See a detailed image of the cell membrane.

SUMMARY

• name(s): cell membrane, plasmalemma, plasma membrane
• location: the outer surface of the cell but frequently convoluted and is effectively continuous with ER and nuclear envelope.
• appearance: double molecular layer.
• size: about 6-7nm in depth (excluding associated proteins).
• function: segregation of cell from surroundings and control of traffic in and out of the cell.

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