MembranesMembranes, whether biological or not, are thin, planar structures separating two environments. Biological membranes control transport of materials between the two environments.
The most basic example of a biological membrane is the cell membrane, a component of every biological cell. This structured bilayer holds phospholipids on the outside of the cell, and bonded protein molecules on the inside; certain other protein molecules studding the membrane act as gateways or pores, controlling what moves in and what is expelled. Without this membrane structure and the proteins spread throughout it, cellular cohesion cannot be maintained.
Mucous membranes are another type of biological membrane, involved in absorption and secretion. They line several parts of the body continuous with the skin, and secrete mucus to trap foreign bodies and to ease elimination of unwanted substances.
Membranes are found in many other places in biology, both at micro and macro levels; most organelles have some sort of membrane, the skin can be considered a type of membrane, and throughout the body membranes of different types can be found.
Web Resources On Membranes
Membrane Proteins of Known Structure
Molecular Membrane Biology Journal
Book Resources On MembranesMembrane Technology and Applications by Richard W. Baker
Methods in Membrane Biology by Edward D. Korn
|
|
|
