Cell membrane recognition process

Dmg receptors are chemical entities which are typically, but not exclusively, small molecules that interact with cellular components, frequently at the plasma membrane level (1,2). There are many types of receptors heat, light, immune, hormone, ion channel, toxin, and vims are but a few that can excite a cell. The receptor concept can be appHed generally to signal recognition processes where a chemical or physical signal is recognized. This recognition is translated into response (Fig. 3) and the process can be seen as a flow of information. 

The process of cell recognition is a molecular one, the final destruction of the cell membrane, however, is a physical process. The exact mechanism is still unclear. At least three possibilities are discussed a locally high concentration of lysophospholipids... 

Membranes of plant and animal cells are typically composed of 40-50 % lipids and 50-60% proteins. There are wide variations in the types of lipids and proteins as well as in their ratios. Arrangements of lipids and proteins in membranes are best considered in terms of the fluid-mosaic model, proposed by Singer and Nicolson % According to this model, the matrix of the membrane (a lipid bilayer composed of phospholipids and glycolipids) incorporates proteins, either on the surface or in the interior, and acts as permeability barrier (Fig. 2). Furthermore, other cellular functions such as recognition, fusion, endocytosis, intercellular interaction, transport, and osmosis are all membrane mediated processes. 

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