Question

Give the roles of the following:
Flexible nature of the cell membrane

Answer 1

Hint:- The statement “Flexible nature of the cell membrane” denotes the ability of the cell for the lateral movement of substances specifically proteins in and out of the cell within the bilayer. It has major roles to play in the processes like cell division, secretion, endocytosis etc.

Complete answer:
As we all are aware of the fact that all the cells that may be prokaryotic or eukaryotic has cell membrane over it which covers it, protect it, provide support, strengthen it, helps in giving shape and many more functions. Cells are surrounded by plasma membranes. They are thin, flexible, and also very fragile. Years ago, it was very much unknown about the composition of this cell membrane but also it was important to study its components for better understanding. So in around 1889 the scientist named ‘Charles Overton’ studied in depth about which molecules were able to pass through that layer and which not for this to understand he further researched that their might be something by which cell membrane is made up of which allows selective elements to enter the cells and others are not allowed. He studied and found that membrane contains lipids in it as other lipids are freely movable across it while water substances face problems in doing so. Now if we talk about plasma membrane in amoeba it is so flexible that it helps in engulfing the food by making the structure called as pseudopodia.

Note:- Plasma membranes are also called flexible because the fat molecules keep the phospholipid tails from coming into contact and solidifying. Now this ensures that the cell membrane stays fluid and flexible. In some of the plasma membrane proteins are located in the lipid bilayer and are called integral proteins.