Membranes are pivotal components of life, acting as formidable insulators that demarcate a living cell; generate energy in the form of ion gradients; transport ions, proteins, nucleic acids, nutrients, and metabolites; and provide transduction systems to sense the environment and to communicate with other cells. Membranes also provide shape and structure to cells and are important in cell motility. In addition, they fulfill a scaffolding function for proteins and organelles that interact with the extracellular environment. Written by specialists in the field, this book provides a comprehensive |