This plasma membrane structure is VITAL to life as we know it. It is the edge of life, the boundary that separates the living cell from it's surroundings. Unbelievably, this structure is only about 8nm thick, meaning it would take over 8,000 to equal the thickness of a sheet of paper. You may ask yourself, "what makes the plasma membrane so important?" First of all, the membrane creates an outer boundary for the cell, and therefore holds it together. The flexibility of this boundary is the reason why the cell can survive in so many different environments. Another reason? The membrane is the ultimate toll booth, meaning it controls what substances travel in and out of the cell. For example is it able to block out toxins and other unnecessary substances from entering. This is a key aspect on how we are able to function as living creatures. The cell membrane is responsible for making the cell interact with its environment in a controlled way.
.jpg?timestamp=1525531607411)
