• The cell membrane functions to transport materials (molecules) in and out of the cell, recognition of molecules, communication and homeostasis

• The cell membrane is made up of phospholipids, which make the bilayer of the membrane, proteins and carbohydrates.

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FLUID MOSAIC MODEL:

• The cell membrane is often referred to as a fluid mosaic model since it has both solid and liquid properties. 

  • Firstly the membrane is known to be "fluid" since it is made up of freely moving, semi-fluid lipid molecules which make up the phospholipid bilayer. 

  • The membrane is also known as a "mosaic" since it has solid lipids, carbohydrates and protein molecules suspended into it. Proteins in the membrane function as receptors to allow larger molecules into the cell and carbohydrates functions as identification tags. 

• The cell membrane is also SELECTIVELY PERMEABLE, meaning only SOME molecules, which are small and non-polar, can enter in without help from the protein receptors. ​