
Cell membrane | Definition, Function, & Structure | Britannica
Nov 27, 2025 · A cell membrane is a thin covering that surrounds every living cell. It functions as a barrier, keeping cell constituents in and unwanted substances out, and as a gate, allowing …
Cell membrane - Wikipedia
The cell membrane (also known as the plasma membrane or cytoplasmic membrane, and historically referred to as the plasmalemma) is a semipermeable biological membrane that …
Animal Cell – Diagram, Organelles, and Characteristics
May 9, 2023 · Unlike plant cells, animal cells do not have cell walls, allowing for more flexibility in shape and movement. A plasma membrane encloses the cell contents of both plant and …
Animal Cell Explained: Structure, Parts & Vital Functions
Jul 8, 2025 · Most cells are covered by a protective membrane known as the cell wall which gives the cells their shape and rigidity. Since animal cells lack a rigid cell wall it allows them to …
Cell Membrane - The Definitive Guide | Biology Dictionary
Oct 19, 2020 · The cell membrane, also known as the plasma membrane, is a double layer of lipids and proteins that surrounds a cell. It separates the cytoplasm (the contents of the cell) …
Cell Membranes | Learn Science at Scitable - Nature
There are many different kinds of membranes in a cell. Learn how they subdivide sections of a cell and how proteins in these membranes are gatekeepers for what goes in and what comes out.
3.4 The Cell Membrane - Concepts of Biology | OpenStax
The plasma membrane is made up primarily of a bilayer of phospholipids with embedded proteins, carbohydrates, glycolipids, and glycoproteins, and, in animal cells, cholesterol.
What Is an Animal Cell? Structure, Function, and Processes
The outermost layer of the animal cell is the plasma membrane, a flexible barrier that separates the cell’s internal contents from the external environment.
Are Cell Membranes in Plant and Animal Cells? - Biology Insights
Both plant and animal cells possess a cell membrane, also known as the plasma membrane. This membrane is a universal feature in all living cells, serving as the outer boundary that encloses …
Cell Membrane Function and Structure - ThoughtCo
Jun 7, 2024 · The cell membrane (plasma membrane) is a thin semi-permeable membrane that surrounds the cytoplasm of a cell. Its function is to protect the integrity of the interior of the cell …