Cell membrane

The cell membrane, or plasma membrane cytomembrane, also plasmalemma or pellicle (Latin anatomist membrane cellularis. ) (Latin, " pelts " ) or Peanale; named (Latin for " cuticle " ), is a biological membrane that surrounds the living cell and their internal environment maintains. It consists of a lipid bilayer and is light microscopy with a thickness of about six to ten nanometers at most as vaguely recognizable line. A cell membrane is the boundary of a cell. In addition to the cell membrane there is a mass transfer.

Each cell is identified with its peripheral proteins on the outside what is called the surface antigen. These membrane proteins are present or "float" on the fluid mosaic model on or in the membrane. In addition, hang the marking on the outside of the cell membrane often short-chain, partially branched tree- like carbohydrate compounds to the proteins and the lipids; one then speaks of glycoproteins or glycolipids. The outwardly projecting structures of the cell membranes have, inter alia, receptor, transport or stabilizing features. These glycoproteins and glycolipids form the glycocalyx, which provides in cells without cell wall adjacent to the cytoskeleton stability. Furthermore, taking the cell membrane by endocytosis on bound molecules by invagination and constriction of cell membrane sections. Flüssikeitsmengen can be included by pinocytosis.

Most of the cells are semi-permeable and having a membrane potential, which means that there is a potential difference between the inside and outside. Mainly through ion channels there are different material and charge distributions, whereby an electrochemical gradient is created. To cell extensions can be located on the outside of the cell membrane. Special developments are the microvilli in animal cell membranes - pseudopodia -like projections outwards - which increase the surface area of the membrane and together form the so-called brush border of the cell.

Cell membrane of archaea

The cell membrane is not of Archaea from fatty acids, but from isoprenoid alcohols, which are linked to glycerol does not have ester groups, but via an ether linkage. The resulting glycerol ethers are much more temperature stable.