What is the composition of the cell wall membrane (CWM)?

The composition of the cell wall membrane, commonly known in the context of cells as the plasma membrane, comprises a bilayer of phospholipids along with embedded proteins. This structure is integral to the function of the membrane, allowing for selective permeability and the maintenance of homeostasis.

The phospholipid bilayer forms the fundamental structure of the membrane, with hydrophilic (water-attracting) heads facing outward and hydrophobic (water-repelling) tails oriented inward, creating a semi-permeable barrier. In many organisms, cholesterol is also present within this bilayer, providing structural integrity and fluidity to the membrane, especially in conditions of varying temperatures. While proteins are indeed a key component, helping with transport, signaling, and structural functions, the bilayer of phospholipids is what primarily defines its composition.

The presence of only proteins or carbohydrates in isolation would fail to account for the dynamic and functional attributes necessary for a cell membrane's operation, making it vital to consider the lipid bilayer's role along with associated proteins in the cell wall membrane's structure.