membrane
/ˈmɛmbreɪn
/noun Anatomy & Zoology
1A pliable sheet-like structure acting as a boundary, lining, or partition in an organism: the nucleus is a distinct region with a membrane around it [with modifier]: the mucous membrane...
- Osmosis is important in food preparation because the cell walls of living organisms are semipermeable membranes.
- Structurally it is a membrane surrounding the heart, and physiologically it protects the heart.
- Fibers in the wing membrane added structural support and stiffness.
1.1A thin pliable sheet of material forming a barrier or lining: the concrete should include a membrane to prevent rising damp...
- So many layers of colour have been piled on the canvas that a rubbery membrane of paint hangs over the sharp edges of the frame.
- The ridge of the roof is a water channel from which water overflows onto the thin roofing membrane of stone and glass.
- The cost of labor is virtually the same as for the thinner membrane, but puncture resistance is greatly enhanced.
1.2 Biology A microscopic double layer of lipids and proteins forming the boundary of cells or organelles.Although there are, as far as is known, no quantitative data, hydrogen peroxide is usually thought to move rapidly across the membranes of cells and organelles....
- Other organelles have double membranes, consisting of two phospholipid bilayers.
- The interaction of electric fields with lipid membranes and cells has been extensively studied in the last decades.
Derivatives
membranaceous
/ adjective ...- Extending from the stem to the margin of the cap, and covering the gills, is the partial veil - a membranaceous, white texture of varying thickness.
- Evergreen leaves are usually coriaceous, while deciduous leaves are usually membranaceous or chartaceous.
- Above the pectoral is a long membranaceous scale equalling, or very nearly, the fin itself.
membraneous
- The ‘paala’ is non-absorbent, has a membraneous coating and could be used as an eco-friendly substitute for plastic glasses and vessels.
- In the organelles membraneous structures almost completely disappeared; however, some wavy membrane remnants could still be present beside one or two linear membranes lying under the external envelope.
- Each flower, surrounded by a thin membraneous sheath, topped a short pedicel that elongated during the last stages of flower development up to anthesis.
membranous
/ adjective ...- They're huge white maggots with transparent membranous skin.
- The baby is receiving emergency treatment on an extra-corporeal membranous oxygenation machine, to help him breathe.
- Both dragonflies and damselflies have two pairs of elongated membranous wings with a strong crossvein and many small veins that criss-cross in the wings, adding strength and flexibility to the wings.
Origin
Late Middle English: from Latin membrana, from membrum 'limb'.