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outer membrane

outer membrane

Danh từ

Số nhiều: outer membranes

This term is a specialized biological descriptor used primarily in microbiology and cell biology. It refers to a specific structural layer that provides a critical interface between the interior of a cell or organelle and its external environment. In the context of Gram-negative bacteria, it is a defining characteristic that distinguishes them from Gram-positive bacteria, which lack this additional layer.

Because it serves as a selective barrier, the term often appears in discussions regarding permeability, antibiotic resistance, and transport proteins. It is a technical term and is rarely used outside of scientific, medical, or academic discourse.

Ý nghĩa

Danh từouter membrane

The outermost lipid bilayer of the cell envelope in Gram-negative bacteria, located outside the peptidoglycan cell wall.

The outer membrane acts as a selective barrier that protects the bacterium from certain antibiotics and detergents.

Danh từouter membrane

The external lipid bilayer of an organelle, such as a mitochondrion or chloroplast, which separates the intermembrane space from the cytosol.

Proteins in the outer membrane of the mitochondrion allow for the passage of small molecules into the organelle.

Last Updated: July 15, 2026•Report an Error