Cell membranes are a lot like the bouncers at a club. They decide who can come in and who has to stay outside! Here’s how they work:
Structure:
The cell membrane is made of something called a phospholipid bilayer. This special layer keeps the inside of the cell separate from everything outside. It also lets some things pass through while keeping others out.
Transport Mechanisms:
Passive Transport:
This is when things move naturally from a place where there’s a lot of them to a place where there are fewer, without using any energy. An example is how oxygen and carbon dioxide can easily go through the membrane.
Active Transport:
This needs energy to move things in the opposite direction, which means pushing them from a low concentration to a high concentration. For example, cells use energy to pump sodium and potassium in and out.
Receptors:
The membrane has special proteins that work like gates. They can pick up signals and help certain molecules enter the cell. Sometimes, this causes changes inside the cell.
In summary, the cell membrane is really important for keeping things balanced and helping cells respond to their surroundings!
Cell membranes are a lot like the bouncers at a club. They decide who can come in and who has to stay outside! Here’s how they work:
Structure:
The cell membrane is made of something called a phospholipid bilayer. This special layer keeps the inside of the cell separate from everything outside. It also lets some things pass through while keeping others out.
Transport Mechanisms:
Passive Transport:
This is when things move naturally from a place where there’s a lot of them to a place where there are fewer, without using any energy. An example is how oxygen and carbon dioxide can easily go through the membrane.
Active Transport:
This needs energy to move things in the opposite direction, which means pushing them from a low concentration to a high concentration. For example, cells use energy to pump sodium and potassium in and out.
Receptors:
The membrane has special proteins that work like gates. They can pick up signals and help certain molecules enter the cell. Sometimes, this causes changes inside the cell.
In summary, the cell membrane is really important for keeping things balanced and helping cells respond to their surroundings!