Final answer:
The cell membrane is a phospholipid bilayer consisting of two layers of phospholipids with hydrophobic tails facing inward and hydrophilic heads facing outward. It acts as a barrier and separates the inside of the cell from its external environment. Proteins embedded within the membrane perform various functions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The structure of the cell membrane is a phospholipid bilayer. It is composed of two layers of phospholipids with hydrophobic tails facing inward and hydrophilic heads facing outward. This bilayer provides a barrier that separates the inside of the cell from its external environment. Additionally, the cell membrane contains various proteins that are embedded within the bilayer and perform different functions.