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Question

Question: How does the cell membrane change shape?...

How does the cell membrane change shape?

Explanation

Solution

Cell membrane or plasma membrane is termed as the outermost membrane that occurs in animal cells whereas, Plant cell is made up of cell wall as well as plasma membrane. It is referred to as a selectively permeable membrane. Nageli and Cramer used the term cell membrane for the first time in 1855.

Complete answer:
To solve this question, we should have knowledge about cells and their components. Cell is usually termed as a basic unit of life. All the organisms are made up of cells Some organisms are composed of single cells are termed as unicellular organisms, while other organisms like human beings are composed of many cells, are termed as multicellular organisms.
Cell is made up of three parts namely:
1. Cell membrane
a.Outer membrane- cell wall
b.Inner membrane- cell membrane

2.Nucleus

3.Cytoplasm

But the animal cell does not possess the outer membrane termed as a cell wall. So, this is the reason that plasma membrane is the only one outer covering/membrane which protects the cell or inside of the cell from the outer environment. Cell membrane is made up of lipid bilayer. Lipids are arranged in such a kind that the polar head faces towards the outer part and the hydrophobic tail towards the inner part.

Cell membrane is also made up of the proteins and carbohydrates.
Proteins are categorised as integral (intrinsic) proteins and peripheral (extrinsic) proteins.
Integral proteins are present on the surface of the layer but peripheral protein is totally buried in the layer.

Due to this cell membrane changes its shape

Note: The cell membrane is composed of a thin layer of phospholipids which possess a hydrophilic head and hydrophobic tail. Plasma membranes also possess glycoprotein which helps in cell-cell recognition. The cell membrane is made up of around 50% of proteins which help in carrying out the essential activities of the cell.