Question

The plasma membrane helps in ____

Answer 1

Hint: Plasma membrane is sometimes referred to as cell membrane and it forms the outermost boundary of almost all the cells. Sometimes, it is further covered by a cell wall that gives extra protection to the cell. It can be compared with bricks of the house. It is also referred to as a semi permeable membrane. By this time, you would have got to know how plasma membrane helps a cell.

Complete answer:
We usually know that the cell is a basic structural unit and has plasma membrane as an outer covering. Being an outer layer it separates internal cell contents with that of external. It is formed by a combination of proteins and lipids. It performs a wide range of functions. Mainly, it promotes the exit and entry of ions and other nutrients into the cell which is nothing but osmoregulation and the other point to note is that it is a selectively permeable membrane which means that it allows certain ions to pass through and prevents the other ions from reaching inside because it has few receptors that would allow specific ions and molecules to pass through. It also protects the cell from the external environment. The other important function is that it promotes cell signalling which is nothing but the communication between any two cells. To be precise, plasma membrane mainly helps in osmoregulation.

Note:
Apart from the above mentioned functions,it is also concerned with endocytosis which is engulfing of large contents by the cell and exocytosis which is the cell releasing the materials to the outside environment. It is chemically a phospholipid bilayer. The composition of cell membranes is best understood by “Fluid mosaic model”.