GENERAL HISTOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -What Do Membranes Do? Cell membranes serve as barriers and gatekeepers. They are semi-permeable, which means that some molecules can diffuse across the lipid bilayer but others cannot.

Detailed explanation-2: -In its role as gatekeeper, the cell membrane regulates molecular traffic into and out of the cell via specialized membrane proteins. Ion channels, proteins that span the cell membrane, are a prominent example.

Detailed explanation-3: -Protein machineries embedded in the membranes of our cells act as ‘gatekeepers’ controlling everything transported in and out of every cell in our bodies. Because these machineries, called membrane embedded proteins, are vital to the way our bodies function they are the target of at least 40% of drugs.

Detailed explanation-4: -By acting as a gatekeeper, the plasma membrane protects the cell from its surroundings and keeps important molecules from leaving the cell, so that the correct balance of molecules is maintained.

Detailed explanation-5: -Plasma membranes must allow certain substances to enter and leave a cell, while preventing harmful material from entering and essential material from leaving. In other words, plasma membranes are selectively permeable-they allow some substances through but not others.