Biological membranes are essential to life, whether they surround individual cells, or

the organelles inside of eukaryotic cells. Membranes are active structures,

composed of lipids, proteins and carbohydrates. The cell membrane has many
functions, a few of which forming a barrier between the inside of the cell and the
outside, cell communication, facilitation of organic molecules and energy generation.

The membrane functions as a barrier that makes it possible for the cytoplasm to
maintain a different composition from the material surrounding the cell. If all the
compartments were merged with the cytoplasm then each individual organelle
wouldn’t be able to carry out its specific functions. The unit membrane is freely
permeable to water molecules but very impermeable to ions and charged molecules.
The plasma membrane is capable of being selectively permeable because of its
structure, which is composed of a bi-layer of hydrophobic phospholipids, and
proteins that act as transporters or channels for certain molecules. If the membrane
didn’t have selective permeability then the cell wouldn’t be able to regulate the
concentration of substances passing through the cell therefore not being able to
achieve homeostasis. The state of homeostasis keeps the cell constant with what it
needs to function. This means that in homeostasis, the waste is being transported
away from the cell while it receives the nutrients it needs to continue to function. The
cell membrane maintains homeostasis through the processes of diffusion, osmosis
and filtration, which are passive forms of transport. Without the ability of the cell to
maintain its aversion to the external environment the enzymes needed for function
would de-nature due to a fluctuation in temperature thus leading to the cell operating
below its optimum level. This is a strong inclination of membranes indispensability to
life.

The plasma membrane contains numerous receptor molecules that are involved in
communication with other cells and the outside world in general. These respond to
antigens, hormones, and neurotransmitters in various ways. Membrane
Glycoproteins and Glycolipids often serve as cell identity markers. They enable a cell
to recognize other cells of the same kind during tissue formation or to recognize and
respond to potentially dangerous foreign cells. The ABO blood type markers are one
example of cell identity markers. When receiving a blood transfusion, the blood type
must be compatible.

There is no argument against the necessity and indispensability of membranes to

life. The points discussed are only a mere indication of the roles of membranes and
to say membranes are important would be a grave understatement.