Cell Membrane Structure and Function

Learn about the plasma membrane that surrounds all cells and keeps them alive!
Transcript:
All cells are completely surrounded by a membrane that separates them from their environment, kind of like how your skin completely covers your body. This cell membrane is sometimes called the plasma membrane, and it acts as a barrier, regulating what gets in and out of the cell. Because the membrane lets some things through but not others, we say that the membrane is semi-permeable or selectively permeable.
If we zoom in on the membrane, we can see that it is made of several molecular parts.
Most of the membrane is made of molecules called phospholipids. Phospholipids have a head made of phosphate and 2 tails made of fatty acids. The heads are hydrophilic, meaning that they are attracted to water, or literally, “water loving.” The tails, however, are hydrophobic, meaning that they repel water. Literally, hydrophobic means “water fearing.” Because of these properties, phospholipids form two layers known as a phospholipid bilayer, with the hydrophobic tails facing each other and the hydrophilic heads facing the watery external environment and the watery cytoplasm inside of the cell. So, the water lovers get to be next to water and the water fearers can hide away from it-a perfect arrangement. The phospholipid bilayer is the main component of the membrane, and it is largely responsible for making the membrane semi-permeable. Basically, the smaller and less charged something is, the easier it is to pass through the phospholipid bilayer. Bigger, more charged things have a harder time.
A second membrane component is cholesterol. Although people often think of cholesterol as a bad thing, it’s actually a very important part of cell membranes, where it helps to stabilize the membrane and make it better at controlling what can pass through it.
Proteins are another important part of the membrane. They do many functions, but one of the most important ones is transporting materials across the membrane, especially if they have a hard time passing through the phospholipid bilayer.
A fourth membrane component is carbohydrates. These are often involved in cell identification. Blood types, for example, are the result of membrane carbohydrates attached to proteins. These help you to identify blood that belongs to you and distinguish it from foreign invaders.
All of these components work together to make the plasma membrane that surrounds all cells, a critically important barrier needed for all life on earth!
Credits:
Music: www.bensound.com
Skull and crossbones image: pixabay.com/

[@nuretahsinullah1658]

Explained better than my book...👍👍

[@BioManBiology]

Thanks! I'm glad it was helpful!

[@gayatriadhikary6188]

@@BioManBiology Brother the video is great.

[@BioManBiology]

@@gayatriadhikary6188 Thanks!

[@tanjirahamed5348]

Real

[@YEAT4L.]

@@tanjirahamed5348 Real.

[@thelearningpitch989]

Literally thank you for explaining it with fluency and frankness! The animation is way better than other videos 👍

[@BioManBiology]

Thanks for your kind words! I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@vncstudios7457]

You can't tell me with this well arranged part of "only the cell membrane" God does not exist, or that it came by accident

[@jeanlanz2344]

Understandable graphics and great explanation of terms and their meanings. Thank you!

[@BioManBiology]

Thanks!

[@Lee-so4ub]

This video was a good break from the constant reading I am doing. Thank you for the visual and useful info.

[@BioManBiology]

You're welcome! I'm glad it was useful to you!

[@playstation1809]

Thank you so much! This helped me better understand the cell membrane structure and function.

[@BioManBiology]

Great to hear! I'm glad it was helpful!

[@newcreationfloraldesign8229]

THANK YOU for this informative video!

[@mollygrigg6558]

I don’t subscribe to anything, but I do teach biology to homeschoolers. And wow, this clear, easy explanation of a complex concept was better than any other explanation I’ve seen. Ever. So I subscribed and now I can’t wait to see what else you’ll produce!

[@BioManBiology]

Thanks for the kind words Molly! I'm glad it was helpful!

[@abhayyadav6413]

I was bothering about this topic and wandering the whole UA-cam untill I found this video whic literally just made me understand the whole plasma membrane in like 3 mints there are a lot of lectures of more than 1 hour on UA-cam but they are worthless... You did a great job loved it!!! **SUBSCRIBED!!**

[@BioManBiology]

Awesome! I'm happy that it was helpful to you! All the best!

[@khanlizasaba321]

Woww no words for ur teaching ......as a 9th grader I can say you explained it in very easy way.....loved it after this I can't control my hand to subscribe your channel.............🤗🤗🙌

[@BioManBiology]

Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed the explanation and thanks for subscribing!

[@Delicious4Ant]

This was so easy to understand. Thank you!

[@BioManBiology]

That's great to hear! Thanks for the kind feedback!

[@samerabreese7775]

Perfect job at explaining cell membrane structure and function

[@BioManBiology]

Thanks! I'm glad you liked it!

[@onyinyemofunanya1723]

Thank you!!! Perfectly understood. God bless you!

[@BioManBiology]

Thanks, I'm glad it was easy to understand!

[@reno911yo]

great simple understandable explanation, thank you BioMan!

[@BioManBiology]

You're welcome! I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@tarunop7998]

What a video maker you are
All of content in this I perfectly understand 💖

[@BioManBiology]

Thanks for your kind feedback! I'm glad it was helpful to you!

[@sophiahuang3968]

Thank you! This was explained so simply yet to detailed! This cleared things up for me as I am learning this in Living Environment right now!

[@BioManBiology]

I'm happy to hear that it helped!

[@welegends2111]

How’s Living Environment going?

[@margaretkessie8404]

Now I understand this better. Thank you so much!

[@BioManBiology]

That's great to hear! Thanks!

[@wardon1994]

I usually don't comment on youtube videos but I have to on this one it was very easy straight to the point explained in easy words it was just perfect

[@BioManBiology]

Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@wardon1994]

@@BioManBiology you are most welcomed

[@Jashandeepvy6qs]

It really helped me a lot . Thanks a bunch 👍 😊

[@BioManBiology]

I'm glad to hear that! Thanks for your comment!

[@skinnailsnurse]

LOVE‼I usually hate background music, but this was the best🥰❤ Awesome visuals & narration.🙌🏾

[@BioManBiology]

Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@twinkleroad7830]

Simple to understand ........ God bless you❤❤

[@BioManBiology]

Thanks, I'm glad it was easy to understand!

[@Kaitlynsfashion]

Wow this was so helpful. Thank you so much!!!!

[@BioManBiology]

You're welcome, I'm glad it was helpful!

[@ncp3077]

This is awesome thank you

[@BioManBiology]

I'm glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for your comment!

[@leopard7890]

Very simple and easy to understand, thank you so much sir

[@BioManBiology]

Thanks! I'm glad it was helpful!

[@lapnim4025]

it helped me a lot! easy to understand :)

[@BioManBiology]

I'm glad that it helped!

[@sushilalama6796]

Beautiful video. Well explained.

[@BioManBiology]

Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@boofang10]

EXCELLENT & SIMPLE !! 😁👍🏻👍🏻

[@BioManBiology]

Thanks!

[@user-cb5iz7kg3w]

Very easy to understand. Thanks so much

[@BioManBiology]

You're welcome! I'm glad you found it easy to understand! Thanks!

[@abbas7772]

Thank you so much 🙏

[@BioManBiology]

You're welcome!

[@anonymous.....7]

thanks for the explanation easy to understand

[@BioManBiology]

You're welcome! I'm glad it was helpful to you!

[@pritisahu8818]

Amazing for understanding the concept 🌸

[@BioManBiology]

Thanks, I'm glad it was helpful!

[@danielwilliams2597]

we need more videos likes these, i work and simplified videos like these is fucking great, i have been searching the internet for a week and this is the best, i felt so relieved

[@BioManBiology]

I'm glad it was helpful to you! Thanks!

[@user-gh3ql8ls8f]

As an 9 th grader i can say u explained extremely well ❤❤

[@BioManBiology]

Thanks, I'm glad you found the explanation clear!

[@wikakureek]

Wow! So short,so good!

[@BioManBiology]

Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@naajiyamohinudeen6782]

so clear and concise!

[@BioManBiology]

Thanks!

[@krisjene9003]

please make more videos. this was very easy to understand

[@BioManBiology]

Thanks, I am planning to make more. Please be sure to subscribe if you'd like to be notified when new videos come out. All the best!

[@conganasceli2262]

Thank u !!!!! I understand it better !

[@BioManBiology]

You're welcome! I'm happy it helped you understand better!

[@tehseenzahra4831]

Hey tysm for this information it's really helpful for me

[@BioManBiology]

You're welcome! I'm glad it is helpful to you!

[@tehseenzahra4831]

@@BioManBiology hn

[@ysabelasantos596]

Thank you❤

[@BioManBiology]

You're welcome!

[@l.ncreativecorner4621]

Thank u ! A detailed animation And explantion

[@BioManBiology]

You're welcome! I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@cerbasflorence4155]

I got introduced to this channel from your little game :)) really helped me remember easily!

[@BioManBiology]

Good to hear!

[@user-yx1ri7re4u]

You teach really well

[@BioManBiology]

Thanks!

[@kaurzx0011]

Thank you so much❤❤ love from india 🇮🇳

[@BioManBiology]

You're welcome! And thanks for your comment!

[@mayakumarijoshi4503]

Thanks for this 👍👍

[@BioManBiology]

You're welcome! All the best to you!

[@dancingbeats1346]

Greatly explained

[@BioManBiology]

Thanks!

[@nalinipatil6834]

You are best I think this topic is very hard but after seeing this video I can easily do this

[@BioManBiology]

Thanks, I'm glad it helped!

[@bhawnaverma5057]

Nice explanation continue with the series

[@BioManBiology]

Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@user-vb3sj4gb3i]

Amazing explanation ✨

[@BioManBiology]

Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@bsbmmsriganesha8824]

Wow nice easy explanation 👌👌thank you 🙂

[@BioManBiology]

Thanks for the kind feedback!

[@darleenhalieanasco8834]

Thanks ☺️

[@BioManBiology]

You're welcome!

[@ryanhartman2087]

Taking Anatomy in college, this helped me a lot to better understand the concept 👍

[@BioManBiology]

I'm happy to hear that! Thanks!

[@zeynabyelwo3946]

❤❤❤ amazing i love it

[@BioManBiology]

Thanks, I'm happy to hear that!

[@simongarhr1558]

Muy bien video

[@BioManBiology]

¡Gracias!

[@harinipriya8876]

Nd seriously u explained very well nd hats off to the slides🤌🏻

[@BioManBiology]

Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed the video!

[@user-il2do5xd3l]

I hope to continue in the precture❤❤ you very good in physlogy

[@BioManBiology]

Thanks!

[@TheNayanava]

outstanding!!!!

[@BioManBiology]

I'm glad you enjoyed it! Thanks!

[@MaGoGoGo]

@BioManBiology respect for you

[@BioManBiology]

Thanks, I appreciate that!

[@farahnaznasirahmad8964]

❤ can’t thank enough for

[@BioManBiology]

Thanks!

[@theyogyaguru5894]

Hey this was amazing 🤗

[@BioManBiology]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@nkiwaneprimrose2209]

Thank you sir

[@BioManBiology]

You're welcome! I'm glad it helped!

[@marcuswesemann2843]

very good, easy words and explain wonderful. b

[@BioManBiology]

Thanks, I'm glad it was helpful to you!

[@bluebeastsp4871]

Explained simply which can be understood by a nine year old. Well done

[@BioManBiology]

Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@armanjee1181]

Subhan Allah ❤😊

[@user-wv1hs1fu1b]

Woww u made my biology 10x easier

[@BioManBiology]

Cool, I'm glad to hear that!

[@whorah]

i love the jazzy music 10/10 video

[@whorah]

i hope i can ace my quiz tomorrow on this

[@BioManBiology]

Thanks! I'd like to thank bensound.com for the music!

[@riddhipritwani]

thankyou

[@BioManBiology]

You're welcome!

[@shreyabharti4457]

As a 9grader in India this concept is quite confusing but thanks to you it is crystal clear for me now.

[@BioManBiology]

I'm happy to hear that! Thanks for letting me know!

[@kranko1508]

just earned a subscriber :D

[@BioManBiology]

Awesome! Thanks!

[@salimahakmi-jq7ve]

شكراا

[@AnimeShortsYM]

Thanks

[@BioManBiology]

You're welcome!

[@josephinemoyo4410]

Thnk u sooo much

[@BioManBiology]

You're welcome, I'm glad it was helpful!

[@nasserbenomar]

perfect

[@BioManBiology]

I'm glad you liked it! Thanks!

[@fma3852]

Amazing

[@BioManBiology]

Thanks!

[@hagarhamdy8861]

wow, thanks

[@BioManBiology]

You're welcome! All the best to you!

[@albertvejil5976]

great lesson

[@BioManBiology]

Thanks!

[@user-nz7xs8zi7v]

GOOD VIDEOS

[@BioManBiology]

Thanks!

[@ShaniVerma-hc2kj]

Mind blowing sir

[@BioManBiology]

Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@sabertooth6425]

tysm

[@BioManBiology]

You're welcome! I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@nidhirathod6750]

Explained better than my book 📖❤

[@BioManBiology]

Thanks!

[@bksantosh112]

Very nice video. Is very helpful

[@BioManBiology]

Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@preciousibezim7079]

The background music was making things sound so clear🥺

[@hammadbozdar8430]

Sir my question is that head is hydrophilic and tail is hydrophobic how water is pass from cell membrane to cell

[@BioManBiology]

That is a good question. Because water is so small, it can still pass through the phospholipid bilayer, but relatively slowly. Cells also have special proteins called aquaporins that allow water molecules to diffuse more quickly by osmosis. I hope that helps!

[@lionaydisaryanousmoradigou]

💜

[@Chelsea-gs7qj]

Can you make a video on Tetrahydrofolate's role in DNA synthesis, pharmacology and macrocytic anemia?

[@BioManBiology]

This seems like an interesting topic but it is pretty niche and I'm more focused on general biology topics at the moment. May I ask where and for what purpose you are studying this? Is it a university grad school or medical school class?

[@TropicalPenguinZ]

Such a nice video that helps me to teach stuff thumb emoji.

[@KevinYeshitouzhu]

Such a nice video that helps me to teach stuff thumb emoji.

[@BioManBiology]

Glad to hear that! Thanks!

[@FREEDOM9w9]

My man just explained the first life cell on earth, Which it is the fatty acids tails(that needs only carbon and hydrogen to make them)

[@frellor6704]

1,000th subscriber! Woo!

[@BioManBiology]

Awesome! Thanks!

[@frellor6704]

@@BioManBiology Of course! This channel is awesome.

[@BioManBiology]

@@frellor6704 Thanks! I'm glad you like it!

[@glennracz4647]

Great video! Do I get something for being the 3rd subscriber?

[@BioManBiology]

Thanks! 😄

[@Mohammad_353]

Why ionic compounds cannot enter the lipid bilayer ?
Why through proteins??????

[@BioManBiology]

Because ions are charged, they don't pass easily through the uncharged hydrophobic tails that make up most of the phospholipid bilayer. Polar/charged things in general don't move through the bilayer very easily, but nonpolar/uncharged (hydrophobic) things do. I hope that helps!

[@whoasked6147]

thank uuu

[@BioManBiology]

You're welcome!

[@BioManBiology]

You're welcome!

[@luisasalgado40]

omg good video

[@BioManBiology]

Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@carlotonydaristotile7420]

Is it mostly unsaturated or saturated fats in the cell membrane?

[@BioManBiology]

I wasn't sure about this so I looked it up. Here's what I found: elifesciences.org/articles/34394#:~:text=Phospholipids%20generally%20contain%20a%20saturated,flexibility%20and%20fission%20is%20fragmentary.

[@georgebrika4859]

why does it benefit the cell that the phospholipid heads are hydrophilic and vice versa for tails. How does this benefit the cell?

[@BioManBiology]

This arrangement is beneficial because it allows the membrane to form the way that it does. The phospholipid bilayer that forms is the main barrier that surrounds the cell and regulates what passes through and what is excluded. I hope that helps!

[@zes1m.a]

❤❤

[@BioManBiology]

Thanks!

[@user-jh7kh1hm1j]

Very good from where are yoy

[@BioManBiology]

Thanks, I live in Southern California, not too far from San Diego...

[@JavanKibet-lv7kw]

WOW! SHORT AND PRECISE

[@BioManBiology]

Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@ninjaaljun7674]

nice

[@BioManBiology]

Thanks!

[@kesilus123]

can you explain what are lipids in plasma membrane plz :)

[@BioManBiology]

The most abundant lipids in the membrane are phospholipids. Cholesterol is also an important lipid in membranes. Does that answer your question?

[@kesilus123]

@@BioManBiology i actually want the meaning of lipids. What are they and what is their use:)

[@zelanahmad3864]

Hi,can you tell me how fatty acids can transport into cell membrance, please?

[@BioManBiology]

Because they are nonpolar, they can diffuse directly across the phospholipid bilayer. However, as with many things in biology, it isn't quite that simple.
See this quote, for example:
"Although long-chain fatty acids can move across the cell membrane by simple (‘passive’) diffusion, consensus is beginning to appear that fatty acid-binding membrane proteins fulfil both a facilatory and a regulatory role in the process of cellular fatty acid uptake."
www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0952327810000736

[@nikhiljena6427]

Can't find a more concise video for this topic

[@BioManBiology]

Thanks!