Question

How does the cell membrane help maintain homeostasis?

Answer 1

The tendency or capability of a cell to maintain or achieve a constant state of the internal environment by keeping their- chemical, physical, and internal conditions steady is called Homeostasis.

Complete answer:
The tendency of a cell to achieve a stable state of the internal environment to keep the cell healthy despite the changing external conditions is called homeostasis. The homeostasis is responsible for the optimal functioning of the cells. Cell membrane plays a very important role in the maintenance of cellular homeostasis.

The cell membrane, also called the plasma membrane, is a living biological membrane present in all organisms. It is semi-permeable and separates the internal environment of the cell from the outside. It has a lipid bilayer structure- also called the fluid mosaic model. The bilayer of phospholipids has their hydrophilic heads facing outside and the hydrophobic tail facing each other. Peripheral membrane proteins are present on the outside of the membrane- while the integral membranes are embedded in its structure. Transmembrane proteins have the potential to cross the membrane. Carbohydrates are also attached in some places. This dynamic structure of the membrane keeps them in constant flux.

The functions provided by the cell membrane helps the cell to maintain homeostasis. They are-
1)They provide protection to the cell- and prohibits the entry of toxic or unwanted substances.
2)The semi-permeable nature of the membrane allows only the specific ions and molecules to enter the cell.
3)The fluidity of the membrane helps in the regulation of temperature inside the cell.
4)The membrane prevents the exit of important or useful substances.
5)The cell membrane helps in the maintenance of the ratio of water- outside and inside the cell. Excess water is removed through the process of diffusion.
6)Waste substances are excreted outside the membrane through the process of diffusion or osmosis.
7)It maintains the chemical levels inside the cell by regulating the movement of ions across it. It is selectively permeable to- small, non-polar substances. It restricts the movement of- large, highly charged molecules across it.
8)It maintains the ratio of minerals inside the cells.
9)It also stops the osmotic pressure changes across the membrane.
10)It maintains a perfect balance of macromolecules like- lipids, proteins, carbohydrates, etc.
A disbalance in the state of homeostasis can lead to a disease or malfunctioning of the cell.

Note: The carbohydrates present in the structure of the membrane also helps in the process of cell recognition and adhesion. They act as a physical barrier of the cell and play a significant role in the- signaling and pathogen interaction process.