What is a membrane?

The word membrane has a number of meanings, but in generalThis term means a thin flexible partition, membrane or plate that can perform various functions. In this article we will describe what a membrane is in terms of biology and technology.

Membrane in biology

The membrane (or cell membrane) isThe elastic molecular structure, whose role is to protect the cell from the environment. The cell membrane ensures its integrity, and is also responsible for metabolic processes between the environment and the cell.

The cell membrane consists of proteins and lipids,has a thickness of the order of 7 nm. Each "brick" of the membrane is responsible for a specific function of this cell organ. Lipids in the membrane are represented by three species - phospholipids, glycolipids and cholesterol.

Phospholipids and glycolipids form a hydrophobic andhydrophilic sections (hydrophobic regions are directed inside the cell, and hydrophilic regions are directed outwards), which regulate the process of water exchange and similar molecules between the cell and the environment. Cholesterol gives the membrane stiffness.

The proteins that make up the membrane can perform many functions, for example, there are protein transporters that help the necessary substances to enter the cell.

Membrane in technology

The safety diaphragm is included in thea membrane safety device whose task is to ensure the necessary discharge of the vapor-gas mixture at a certain pressure. Such devices are used as fuses for process equipment, pipelines, etc.

In the presence of dangerous overloads, the membrane breaks, providing the necessary "discharge", and preserves the integrity of an expensive and complex technical system.

Find more interesting concepts in the Definitions section.