cell membrane

noun

plural cell membranes

: a membrane of a cell

especially : a semipermeable limiting layer of cell protoplasm consisting of a fluid phospholipid bilayer with intercalated proteins : plasma membrane

Despite being much maligned in the popular press, cholesterol plays a crucial role in organizing cell membranes and controlling their physical properties.

—Amanda Yarnell

… a cascade of reactions culminating in the transfer of a phosphate group to a protein complex that carries ions across the cell membrane.

—Science News

Examples of cell membrane in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Choline is a nutrient that supports important functions in the body, like facilitating a healthy metabolism and building cell membranes. —Merve Ceylan, Health, 9 Dec. 2024

Traditionally, causation has been assumed to flow from the bottom up: Our choices and actions, for example, are ultimately attributed to those firing patterns of our neurons, which in turn are caused by flows of ions across cell membranes. —Philip Ball, WIRED, 21 July 2024

If the spike meets certain criteria, the synapse transforms it into another voltage pulse that travels down the branching dendrite structure of the receiving neuron and contributes either positively or negatively to its cell membrane voltage. —IEEE Spectrum, 31 May 2017

Today, the main components of most cell membranes are complex, hefty molecules called phospholipids. —Bymitch Leslie, science.org, 30 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1840, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

cell membrane

noun

: a semipermeable outside layer surrounding the contents of a cell

Medical Definition

cell membrane

noun

: a membrane of a cell

especially : plasma membrane