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red65
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Hello everyone, I am studying the physiology of the kidneys and in all of the textbooks they say basolateral membrane referring to the basal membrane, does anyone know why we don't just say basal membrane?
The term "basolateral membrane" is used to describe the membrane on the bottom and sides of a cell because it is composed of both basal and lateral components. The basal component refers to the bottom of the cell, while the lateral component refers to the sides. Therefore, "basolateral" is a more accurate and specific term to describe this membrane.
The basolateral membrane refers to the membrane on the bottom and sides of a cell, while the basal membrane specifically refers to the bottom of the cell. The basolateral membrane is composed of both basal and lateral components, while the basal membrane is solely composed of basal components.
Differentiating between the basolateral and basal membranes is important because they serve different functions in the cell. The basolateral membrane is responsible for transporting substances in and out of the cell, while the basal membrane provides structural support and helps with cell adhesion.
Yes, there are other membranes in the cell that are named based on their location. For example, the apical membrane refers to the membrane on the top of a cell, while the medial membrane refers to the membrane in the middle of a cell.
Yes, the term "basolateral membrane" is used in all types of cells that have distinct top and bottom surfaces. This includes epithelial cells, which line the surfaces of organs and tissues, and neurons, which have a distinct axon and dendrites.