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Andrea McCaffery HEFC Biological Science The Structure and biological functions of cell membranes Cells are the fundamental units of life, because a cell is the simplest unit capable of independent existence. Biological membranes maintain the spatial organisation of life. Cell membranes define the boundaries of living cells and work to shield it from changes in its environment. Essentially, membranes prevent undesirable agents from entering cells and keep needed molecules on the inside. Therefore, the cell membrane controls and regulates everything that passes in or out of the cell. The membrane is essentially made up of a phospholipid bilayer, which forms a boundary enclosing the cell contents and is also folded through the cell, separating compartments for specialised purposes. The structure is flexible and allows for growth and movement as well as for the insertion and operation of protein machinery. The lipid bilayer is two layers of lipid molecules, which are termed amphililic (meaning "loving both"). The...

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