Definition of plasmalemma in English:
plasmalemma
noun ˈplazməˌlɛməˌplazməˈlemə
Biology A plasma membrane which bounds a cell, especially one immediately within the wall of a plant cell.
Example sentencesExamples
- The unstained region around the periphery of most cells was almost certainly an artefact of plasmolysis, indicated by occasional contact points between plasmalemma and cell wall plasmodesmata.
- Folding of the plasmalemma and the formation of multiple small vesicles between the cell wall and the plasmalemma were observed.
- Net glucose loss from live cells would have been limited by the intact plasmalemma, cell metabolism and simultaneous glucose uptake.
- A mechanosensitive Ca 2 + channel is shown linking the cell wall to the plasmalemma so that relative movement between them, or between the former and the cytoskeleton, could open the channel.
- It is, therefore, most unfortunate that little is known of them except that they appear to be gated by tension and link the cell wall to the plasmalemma and possibly the cytoskeleton.
Derivatives
adjective
Biology Its determination is equivalent to measuring the whole-cell currents of a plasmalemmal channel system and provides important information on the voltage-controlled gating of the [Ca.sup.2 +] release channels in the SR.
Example sentencesExamples
- Caveolins are the main structural proteins of glycolipid/cholesterol-rich plasmalemmal invaginations, termed caveolae.
- The exclusion of extracellularly placed hydrophilic, fluorescent dye molecules of various sizes have frequently been used to determine the existence of a barrier (often called a ‘seal’) after plasmalemmal injury.
- The undulating plasmalemmal invaginations have been reported to be unique to brown adipose tissue and hibernomas.
- Ultrastructural examination of the tumor in case 2 revealed pleomorphic mitochondria with dense matrices and transverse lamellar cristae, micropinocytotic vesicles, and periodic short plasmalemmal densities.
Origin
1920s: from plasma + Greek lemma 'rind'.