What are the differences between cell membrane and nuclear membrane?

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Accepted Answer

The cell membrane and nuclear membrane are both essential biological membranes that occur in eukaryotic cells. There are several differences between these two types of membranes.

Basis of differentiation

Cell membrane

Nuclear membrane

Definition

Refers to a single semi-permeable lipid bilayer membrane that completely encloses the  protoplasm of all cells

Refers to two semi-permeable lipid bilayer membranes that completely enclose the nucleolus and genetic material of the eukaryotic cell

Occurrence

Occurs in prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms

Occurs only in eukaryotic organisms

Number of lipid bilayers

Consists of a single lipid bilayer

Consists of 2 lipid bilayers

Nature of  membrane

Is a continuous membrane

Is a discontinuous membrane

Presence of pores

Does not have any pores

Has complex pores

Permeability and transportation

Is a semi-permeable membrane

Is selectively permeable, allowing only small non-polar molecules such as mRNA and proteins to pass through

Transportation

Regulates the flow of substances such as ions and organic molecules between the protoplasm and external environment

Regulates the flow of mRNA and proteins between nucleoplasm and cytoplasm

Endoplasmic reticulum

Endoplasmic reticulum is not found attached to the cell membrane

The outer part of the nuclear membrane is continuous with the endoplasmic reticulum

Function

- Provides the cell with structure and shape
- Helps to hold and protect the content inside the cell
- Is responsible for regulating the flow of materials in and out of the cell

- Protects the nucleus and genetic material 
- Helps to separate the contents of the nucleus from the cytoplasm
- Is responsible for regulating the flow of materials in and out of the nucleus

Persistence

Persists throughout the lifetime of a cell

Disappears during the cell division in prometaphase and reforms during nuclear division

Basis of differentiation	Cell membrane	Nuclear membrane
Definition	Refers to a single semi-permeable lipid bilayer membrane that completely encloses the protoplasm of all cells	Refers to two semi-permeable lipid bilayer membranes that completely enclose the nucleolus and genetic material of the eukaryotic cell
Occurrence	Occurs in prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms	Occurs only in eukaryotic organisms
Number of lipid bilayers	Consists of a single lipid bilayer	Consists of 2 lipid bilayers
Nature of membrane	Is a continuous membrane	Is a discontinuous membrane
Presence of pores	Does not have any pores	Has complex pores
Permeability and transportation	Is a semi-permeable membrane	Is selectively permeable, allowing only small non-polar molecules such as mRNA and proteins to pass through
Transportation	Regulates the flow of substances such as ions and organic molecules between the protoplasm and external environment	Regulates the flow of mRNA and proteins between nucleoplasm and cytoplasm
Endoplasmic reticulum	Endoplasmic reticulum is not found attached to the cell membrane	The outer part of the nuclear membrane is continuous with the endoplasmic reticulum
Function	Provides the cell with structure and shape Helps to hold and protect the content inside the cell Is responsible for regulating the flow of materials in and out of the cell	Protects the nucleus and genetic material Helps to separate the contents of the nucleus from the cytoplasm Is responsible for regulating the flow of materials in and out of the nucleus
Persistence	Persists throughout the lifetime of a cell	Disappears during the cell division in prometaphase and reforms during nuclear division

Basis of differentiation

Cell membrane

Nuclear membrane

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