The Biological Membrane

Abstract

All living cells, and many of the structures within these cells (mitochondria, nuclei, chloroplasts) are surrounded by biological membranes which serve to separate the cell contents from the surrounding environment. The biological membrane is an extraordinary material. It controls the highly selective transport of molecules into and out of the cell. It senses the environment outside the cell and transmits information about it to the intracellular machinery. It reports information about the cell to the outside world—its identity and its state of function. It transports electrons, converts sunlight to chemical and electrical energy, pumps small molecules against a concentration gradient, and uses that gradient as a source of energy. The membrane is a generally robust structure, and one that can be modified in a controlled manner, making it adaptable for use in nonbiological applications. It has served as a model for sensors and detectors, for surface modification agents, for drug delivery systems, and for information storage and delivery, as well as other optoelectronic functions.