Animal Cell's Plasma Membrane

The plasma membrane of the cell serves many purposes. One of the plasma membranes main functions is to regulate what goes in or comes out of the cell. As well as letting things into the cell, the plasma membrane also controls how much of a substance can go in or out. This helps keeps unwanted substances that would cause viruses or harm to the cell out.

Some of the main functions of the plasma membrane of the cell are the phospholipid bilayer, the cholesterol, the glycoproteins, the proteins, and the glycolipids. Each of these components work together to keep the plasma membrane functioning the correct way. The phospholipid bilayer is made up of phosphates and lipids. These work together to make sure only certain substances are able to diffuse through the membrane. Cholesterol is another important component of the plasma membrane. The objective of the cholesterol is to help maintain fluidity of the cells surface membrane. Glycoproteins and Glycolipids share the same role in the plasma membrane. They are made up of sugar chains. In the cell membrane they act as receptors and antigens. Proteins are also very important in the plasma membrane. The proteins of the plasma membrane control what enters and leaves the cell.

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