
This educational material discusses the fundamental concepts of cellular structure and function, beginning with an overview of the three major components of a typical cell: the plasma membrane, cytoplasm, and extracellular fluid. It then focuses on the detailed structure and function of the plasma membrane, explaining its composition of phospholipids, proteins, cholesterol, and carbohydrates. The text describes the six main functions of membrane proteins, such as serving as receptors or enzymes, and explores various modifications of the cell membrane, including microvilli, cilia, flagella, and pseudopods, and their respective roles in different cell types.