The Cell | Biology

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The Cell

Membranes as Cellular Traffic Control

In cell biology, a membrane is a biological membrane, a lipid bilayer comprising a lipid membrane together with its associated proteins and carbohydrate constituents. It can be simple or complex, and can be of one or multiple layers. It can be of any size, and can be a single cell membrane or be part of a multicellular organism. It can form a protective barrier or be used as a filter. It can be involved in the transport of materials across it, by means of various transport proteins. In most cases, the membrane is a double layer, with different properties on each side. In animals, the two most common types are the plasma membrane and the nuclear membrane. The plasma membrane is the cell's outermost layer and is involved in maintaining the integrity of the cell. The nuclear membrane is a double membrane that envelops the cell nucleus and separates its contents from the cytoplasm.

Dennis Howard

Prokaryotic vs. Eukaryotic Features

The Nucleus

Ribosomes

The Endomembrane System

Mitochondria and Chloroplasts

The Cytoskeleton

The Extracellular World

Membrane Composition

Membrane Proteins and Carbohydrates

Membranes as Cellular Traffic Control

Tool Talk - Microscopy