plasma membrane

[/ˈplæz.mə ˈmem.breɪn/]
nounpl: plasma membranes
membrana plasmática
1. The semipermeable lipid bilayer that surrounds the cytoplasm of a cell, controlling the passage of materials in and out of the cell
The plasma membrane is essential for maintaining homeostasis within the cell.
A membrana plasmática é essencial para manter a homeostase dentro da célula.
2. The outermost layer of the cell that provides protection and selective permeability
Proteins embedded in the plasma membrane facilitate transport across the cell boundary.
As proteínas inseridas na membrana plasmática facilitam o transporte através da fronteira celular.
This is a fundamental term in cell biology taught universally in both Brazilian and American educational systems. There are no significant cultural variations in usage; the term is standardized across scientific communities in Portuguese-speaking and English-speaking countries.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
cell membranecytoplasmic membraneplasmalemma

Regional Variations

General Brazilian Portuguese
membrana plasmática
Standard term used in biology textbooks and academic contexts
Portugal
membrana plasmática
Same as Brazilian Portuguese; universal scientific terminology
Scientific communities
plasmalema
Alternative technical term used in some medical and biological literature

Related Words

lipid bilayerphospholipidprotein channelcell wallcytoplasmosmosis

Related Idioms & Phrases

across the plasma membrane
through the plasma membrane
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