Final answer:
The cell membrane, also known as the plasma membrane, is a thin coat of lipids that surrounds a cell and forms the physical boundary between the cell and its environment.
Step-by-step explanation:
The cell membrane, also known as the plasma membrane, is a thin coat of lipids that surrounds a cell and forms the physical boundary between the cell and its environment. Here are 5 fun facts about the cell membrane:
Flexible structure: The cell membrane is very flexible, allowing cells like red and white blood cells to change shape as they pass through narrow capillaries.Recognition markers: The cell membrane carries markers that allow cells to recognize one another, which is vital for tissue and organ formation during early development and the immune response.Protection: The cell membrane provides a protective barrier around the cell, regulating which materials can pass in or out.Composition: It is primarily composed of back-to-back phospholipids and also contains cholesterol and various proteins.Cell-cell attachment: The cell membrane is involved in cell-cell attachment, which is important for cell communication and tissue function.