The selective barrier that surrounds all cells, controlling what enters and exits the cell. It consists primarily of a phospholipid bilayer embedded with proteins.
From Greek 'plasma' meaning 'formed thing' or 'molded substance' and Latin 'membrana' meaning 'skin' or 'parchment'. The term reflects its role as the formed boundary or skin of the cell, established in the early 20th century as membrane structure was elucidated.
The plasma membrane is like a smart bouncer at an exclusive club! It's not just a wall - it actively decides what gets in and out, can change its composition based on the cell's needs, and even communicates with other cells through specialized protein channels.
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