Plasma membrane and cell membrane are two types of selectively semipermeable boundaries that are made up of a phospholipid bilayer. There are several differences between these two types of membranes.
Basis of differentiation | Plasma membrane | Cell membrane |
Definition | Is a semi-permeable barrier that encapsulates individual organelles in a cell or an entire cell | Is a semipermeable membrane that surrounds the entire cell and its contents, including the cytoplasm and all the organelles |
Structure and Composition | Structure and composition may vary depending on which organelle it surrounds and that organelle’s requirements | Composed of a phospholipid bilayer embedded with integral proteins that span the membrane, providing pathways for the movement of molecules through the membrane |
Role in protecting again invaders | Does not play a protective role | Plays a role in protecting the cell from viral and bacterial invasions |
Role in maintaining tonicity | Does not play a role in maintaining tonicity | Plays a role in maintaining correct tonicity |
Functions |
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Feeding and movement | Are not modified in any way; cilia may not be present | May be modified in some organisms to facilitate movement and feeding; cilia may be present |
Signal transdution | Do not contain initial receptors for signal transduction mechanisms | Contains the initial receptors for signal transduction mechanisms |
Role in cytokinesis | Do not play a role in cytokinesis | Play a role in cytokinesis during cell division |