key term - Peripheral Proteins

Definition

These are proteins that bind to the surface of the cell membrane, rather than being embedded within it. They often serve as enzymes or in signal transduction.

Related terms

Integral Proteins:

These are proteins that are permanently attached and integrated within the cell membrane, often spanning its entire width.

Lipid Bilayer: This is a thin polar membrane made of two layers of lipid molecules. It's what makes up the basic structure of a biological cell membrane.

Enzymes:

These are biological molecules (typically proteins) that significantly speed up the rate of virtually all chemical reactions within cells.