Topics include: Endomembrane Basics, Endomembrane System, Endoplasmic Reticulum, Golgi Complex, Vesicle Transport, Lysosomes, Plant Cell Vacuoles, Endocytosis, & Post-translational Uptake. Cytoplasmic membrane systems are biological membranes that separate and protect the interior of a cell from the outside environment. They are also known as the plasma membrane or cell membrane.  Cytoplasmic membranes are made up of roughly equal parts lipids and proteins. The main lipid components are phospholipids, which vary in length, saturation, and branching.  Cytoplasmic membranes have several... Show more

Topics include: Endomembrane Basics, Endomembrane System, Endoplasmic Reticulum, Golgi Complex, Vesicle Transport, Lysosomes, Plant Cell Vacuoles, Endocytosis, & Post-translational Uptake.

Cytoplasmic membrane systems are biological membranes that separate and protect the interior of a cell from the outside environment. They are also known as the plasma membrane or cell membrane. 
Cytoplasmic membranes are made up of roughly equal parts lipids and proteins. The main lipid components are phospholipids, which vary in length, saturation, and branching. 

Cytoplasmic membranes have several functions, including:
Protecting the cell's inner components
Acting as a barrier to import nutrients and export wastes
Providing selective permeability
Producing some energy
Regulating the passage of solutes between the cell and the outer environment 

Substances can cross the cytoplasmic membrane of eukaryotic cells by: 
Simple diffusion, Osmosis, Passive transport, Active transport, Endocytosis, Exocytosis. 

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