Final answer:
The plasma membrane is responsible for the communication between the extracellular environment and the interior of the cell, regulating the movement of substances and information across the cell boundary.
Step-by-step explanation:
Communication between an extracellular compartment and the interior of a cell is facilitated by the properties of the cell's plasma membrane. The plasma membrane or cell membrane is responsible for separating the internal components of a cell from its exterior environment. This membrane is made up of a phospholipid bilayer, which includes hydrophilic heads facing the aqueous environment and hydrophobic tails facing each other, creating a barrier that regulates the entry and exit of substances. The plasma membrane includes various proteins and lipids that contribute to its diverse functions, such as transport, communication, and signaling. It stands as the boundary between the interior to the cell membrane and exterior to the cell membrane, modulating traffic of molecules and information.