Importanat part of the cell as they provide structure. In eukaryotes they also provide compartments for different processes. They are also critical in the regukationa dn production of celluar energetics.
Functions:
First evolved to be a barrier but soon needed to be able to regulate and allow nutrients in and watse out so developed channels. They then developed pumps which do this against a concentration gradient. (fundamental functions similar in all organisms)
Later fuunctions devloped which are different in all organisms. These include;
- conversion of membrane potential/gradient to energy (most cells do this)
- cellular recognition (different in prokaryotes and eukaryotes)
- signalling (all cells but no universal system)
- membrane trafficking (eukaryotic cell)
- compartmentalisation (eukaryotes only)
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