2015/10/26 by Helen Watson · 295 citations
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Chemistry · Engineering · #Biochemical engineering #Biochemistry #Biological membrane #Biology #Biophysics #Cell biology #Cellular transport and secretion #Chemistry #Computational biology #Engineering #Genetics #Lipid Membrane Structure and Behavior #Membrane #Membrane permeability #Organism #Receptor Mechanisms and Signaling
paper · pdf · doi:10.1042/bse0590043
published in Essays in Biochemistry 59, 43-69 (Portland Press)
openalex publication_date 2015/10/26 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/27
Biological membranes allow life as we know it to exist. They form cells and enable separation between the inside and outside of an organism, controlling by means of their selective permeability which substances enter and leave. By allowing gradients of ions to be created across them, membranes also enable living organisms to generate energy. In addition, they control the flow of messages between cells by sending, receiving and processing information in the form of chemical and electrical signals. This essay summarizes the structure and function of membranes and the proteins within them, and describes their role in trafficking and transport, and their involvement in health and disease. Techniques for studying membranes are also discussed.