1. All life forms on Earth exist either as single cells or as collections of cells that have a plasma membrane at their periphery (though some cells have cell walls outside their plasma membrane). Why do you think the plasma membrane exists in all living

All life forms on Earth exist either as single cells or as collections of cells that have a plasma membrane at their periphery (though some cells have cell walls outside their plasma membrane . Why do you think the plasma membrane exists in all living things

The plasma membrane is the enclosure that encloses the components of the cells it is a semi permeable membrane that selectively allows the transfer of materials , solutions , ions and molecules across the molecule . The importance of the membrane can not be overemphasized : it functions in

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and molecule transport across the membrane : this is crucial to the maintenance of internal homeostasis in the cell . Only molecules that are fat-soluble can diffuse across the membrane

Energy generation : the plasma membrane also functions in the generation of energy , by assisting the mitochondria to maintain internal homeostasis . In case of loss of this crucial function by the membrane the mitochondria can not work

Maintenance of internal homeostasis : the plasma membrane functions to maintain the efflux and influx of materials across it in such a way that the cell continues to function and its constituent organelles continue to work . It also maintains turgor in the cells

Cell-cell interaction : the presence of certain cellular proteins on the plasma membrane allows the cell to interact with other cells in the neighboring environment . This interaction is important for the survival of the cell in the niche where it resides . In the absence of this , the cell loses the ability to effectively combat opposing forces

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