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
Consume Healthy Fats Fats, particularly those rich in omega-3 fatty acids, support the structure and function of cell membranes, including those of hormone-producing cells.
—Nick Blackmer, Verywell Health, 11 Mar. 2024
The company says the good bacteria found in the products strengthen cell membranes, making skin more elastic, resilient and immune to inflammation.
—Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2024
Serotonin can’t get through the cell membrane, which is why people don’t hallucinate when taking antidepressants like Prozac or Zoloft.
—Jon Brodkin, Ars Technica, 2 Oct. 2023
Furthermore, estrogen appears to have a stabilizing effect on cell membranes that might otherwise rupture from acute stress brought on by heat and exercise.
—Cara Ocobock, Scientific American, 19 Oct. 2023
Boosting efficacy, researchers add an agent that turns cell membranes into fluid, allowing the drug to penetrate more deeply into tissues.
—Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Nov. 2023
Estrogen also stabilizes cell membranes that might otherwise be damaged or rupture due to the stress of exercise.
—Sarah Lacy, Discover Magazine, 27 Nov. 2023
Eukaryotes create vast quantities of fat molecules known as sterols, a type of steroid that’s a critical component of cell membranes.
—Yasemin Saplakoglu, Quanta Magazine, 23 Oct. 2023
Once your body reaches a hundred and five or a hundred and six degrees, your limbs might convulse, and, at a hundred and seven, your cell membranes melt, and proteins inside the cells unfold.
—Carolyn Kormann, The New Yorker, 6 Sep. 2023
Nick Blackmer, Verywell Health, 11 Mar. 2024
The company says the good bacteria found in the products strengthen cell membranes, making skin more elastic, resilient and immune to inflammation.
—Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2024
Serotonin can’t get through the cell membrane, which is why people don’t hallucinate when taking antidepressants like Prozac or Zoloft.
—Jon Brodkin, Ars Technica, 2 Oct. 2023
Furthermore, estrogen appears to have a stabilizing effect on cell membranes that might otherwise rupture from acute stress brought on by heat and exercise.
—Cara Ocobock, Scientific American, 19 Oct. 2023
Boosting efficacy, researchers add an agent that turns cell membranes into fluid, allowing the drug to penetrate more deeply into tissues.
—Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Nov. 2023
Estrogen also stabilizes cell membranes that might otherwise be damaged or rupture due to the stress of exercise.
—Sarah Lacy, Discover Magazine, 27 Nov. 2023
Eukaryotes create vast quantities of fat molecules known as sterols, a type of steroid that’s a critical component of cell membranes.
—Yasemin Saplakoglu, Quanta Magazine, 23 Oct. 2023
Once your body reaches a hundred and five or a hundred and six degrees, your limbs might convulse, and, at a hundred and seven, your cell membranes melt, and proteins inside the cells unfold.
—Carolyn Kormann, The New Yorker, 6 Sep. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cell membrane.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near cell membrane
Cite this Entry
“Cell membrane.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cell%20membrane. Accessed 26 Apr. 2024.
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