Abstract
The cell membrane is an extremely important structural part of the cell, since it separates and isolates the cell and its internal space from the environment, and thus it permits the unopposed and specialized functioning of cellular organelles. It consists of 40% lipids mainly in the form of phospholipids and cholesterol and 60% proteins, while carbohydrates also exist at varying proportions (1–10%). Phospholipids form a membrane with two layers with cholesterol contributing to its stability and endurance. Proteins are necessary for most of membrane functions like receptors, ion channels, transmembrane passage of substances, and catalysis of chemical reactions (Fig. 4.1).
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Baker PF, Hodgkin AL, Ridgway EB (1971) Depolarization and calcium entry in squid giant axons. J Physiol 218(3):709–755. https://doi.org/10.1113/jphysiol.1971.sp009641
Dunlap K, Luebke JI, Turner TJ (1995) Exocytotic Ca2+ channels in mammalian central neurons. Trends Neurosci 18(2):89–98
Erulkar SD, Rahamimoff R (1978) The role of calcium ions in tetanic and post-tetanic increase of miniature end-plate potential frequency. J Physiol 278:501–511. https://doi.org/10.1113/jphysiol.1978.sp012320
Kandel ER (1981) Calcium and the control of synaptic strength by learning. Nature 293(5835):697–700. https://doi.org/10.1038/293697a0
Klein M, Shapiro E, Kandel ER (1980) Synaptic plasticity and the modulation of the Ca2+ current. J Exp Biol 89:117–157
Smith SJ, Augustine GJ (1988) Calcium ions, active zones and synaptic transmitter release. Trends Neurosci 11(10):458–464. https://doi.org/10.1016/0166-2236(88)90199-3
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2022 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Fountoulakis, K.N. (2022). The Cell Membrane. In: The Human Connectome. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-10351-3_4
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-10351-3_4
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-031-10350-6
Online ISBN: 978-3-031-10351-3
eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)