cell membrane: Quick Facts

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Facts

Also Known As	plasma membrane

Photos and Videos

Detailed diagram of a plasma membrane's lipid bilayer showing two layers of phospholipid molecules with hydrophilic heads facing outward and hydrophobic tails inward, embedded cholesterol, integral (intrinsic) proteins spanning the membrane, peripheral (extrinsic) proteins attached to the surface, and sugar side chains extending from the outer face.

Diagram showing receptor-mediated endocytosis in a cell: a ligand binds to a receptor on the cell membrane, forming a coated pit that becomes a coated vesicle. The vesicle fuses with an endosome, where receptors are recycled and the contents are degraded in a lysosome.

Labeled diagram of a bacillus-shaped bacterial cell showing capsule, cell wall, cell membrane, cytoplasm, nuclear matter, pili, and a single long flagellum extending from one end.

Cutaway illustration of a eukaryotic animal cell showing labeled internal structures, including the nucleus, nucleolus, mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, and other organelles.

Labeled diagram of a bacterial cell showing key structures including capsule, cell wall, plasma membrane, cytoplasm, chromosome, plasmid, ribosomes, mesosome, pili, and long flagella.

Detailed diagram showing the transport of lipoproteins in the human body, illustrating how dietary fats and cholesterol are absorbed in the small intestine, packaged into chylomicrons, and transported through lymphatic vessels and the bloodstream. The diagram traces the conversion of chylomicrons to VLDL, IDL, LDL, and HDL particles, highlighting their roles in fat and cholesterol delivery, storage, and recycling, with labeled pathways to the liver, muscle, and adipose tissue, and includes cellu

Illustration comparing three cell types: a round animal cell and an irregularly shaped plant cell, both showing labeled organelles, and an elongated bacteria cell with labeled structures such as flagella and capsule.

The video thumbnail image shows an illustration of an animal cell next to a photo of a whale swimming in the oean.

Eukaryotic vs. Prokaryotic Cells: Key Differences Explained

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Topics

Fast Facts about the Cell Membrane ion channel axon hillock calcium channel sodium channel patch-clamp technique anion channel intrinsic protein potassium channel extrinsic protein endoplasmic reticulum microvillus meninges villus tympanic membrane mucous membrane peritoneum mesentery

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Key People

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Peter Agre

American doctor

MacKinnon, Roderick

Roderick MacKinnon

American doctor