Cell Membrane

Key Stage 3

Meaning

The cell membrane is the outer layer of this animal cell.

The cell membrane is a layer covering the cytoplasm of a cell.

Function

The cell membrane controls which chemicals go in and out of the cell.

About Cell Membranes

In an animal cell the cell membrane is the outer layer of the cell.

In a plant cell the cell membrane is protected by a cell wall on top of it.

The cell membrane of an animal cell is the outer layer.	The cell membrane of a plant cell is protected by the cell wall.

Key Stage 4

Meaning

The cell membrane is a partially permeable membrane covering the cytoplasm of a cell.

Function

The cell membrane controls which chemicals go in and out of the cell.

About the Cell Membrane

The cell membrane only allows in certain molecules. This means some molecules, like water, can diffuse in and out of the cell, however, some cannot pass into the cell.