cell membrane
noun
plural cell membranes
: a membrane of a cell
especially
: a semipermeable limiting layer of cell protoplasm consisting of a fluid phospholipid bilayer with intercalated proteins : plasma membrane
Despite being much maligned in the popular press, cholesterol plays a crucial role in organizing cell membranes and controlling their physical properties. —
Amanda Yarnell
Amanda Yarnell … a cascade of reactions culminating in the transfer of a phosphate group to a protein complex that carries ions across the cell membrane. —Science News
Science News Examples of cell membrane in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The torpor phase enables the squirrel to suppress activity within ion channels, reduce the release of glutamate and stabilize its cell membranes.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
Other methods, such as microinjection or temporarily opening the cell membrane, work well for delivering molecules, but they have not been used to place solid, free-standing structures directly inside the cell.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 18 Jan. 2026
Magnesium helps regulate heart rhythm by supporting the movement of calcium and potassium across cell membranes, Lindsay-Adler said.
—Mira Miller, Verywell Health, 13 Jan. 2026
Using special dyes that reveal the voltage across cell membranes, the scientists found that epithelial cells destined for extrusion — and only those cells — lose their membrane potential about five minutes before shrinking and being extruded.
—Elise Cutts, Quanta Magazine, 12 Jan. 2026
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Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026
Other methods, such as microinjection or temporarily opening the cell membrane, work well for delivering molecules, but they have not been used to place solid, free-standing structures directly inside the cell.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 18 Jan. 2026
Magnesium helps regulate heart rhythm by supporting the movement of calcium and potassium across cell membranes, Lindsay-Adler said.
—Mira Miller, Verywell Health, 13 Jan. 2026
Using special dyes that reveal the voltage across cell membranes, the scientists found that epithelial cells destined for extrusion — and only those cells — lose their membrane potential about five minutes before shrinking and being extruded.
—Elise Cutts, Quanta Magazine, 12 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cell membrane
Cite this Entry
“Cell membrane.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cell%20membrane. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
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