Plasma Membrane, one of the basic and most crucial components of cell, plays key role in drug intake and absorption. Plasma Membrane is a selectively permeable membrane or layer that encloses entire cell within it and creates link between cells’ interior and its external environment. By ‘selectively permeable’ means, only selected particles or molecules are allowed to pass through by plasma membrane via its layer, transport channels, transport molecules, etc.
Plasma membrane impacts the intake of medicines in numerous ways such as-
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By absorbing biochemicals (drugs) and taking it into the cell.
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By giving pathway to various drug molecules to enter into the cell and reach their target site inside the cell.
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While some effects are negative in nature as well, such as drug resistance in case of cancer cells, as their plasma membrane pose resistance to the chemotherapy drugs and thereby affecting the treatment.
Shed some light on the practicality of medicine- intake or absorption via plasma membrane with some examples.
MBH/AB