What is the function of the plasma membrane? (1 point)
Responses
It helps recognize other cells.
It helps recognize other cells.
It contains hereditary material.
It contains hereditary material.
It helps plants maintain their shape.
It helps plants maintain their shape.
It helps filter waste inside the cell.
It helps filter waste inside the cell.
The function of the plasma membrane is to help filter waste inside the cell.
The correct answer is: It helps recognize other cells.
The plasma membrane is a crucial component of cells in both plants and animals. It acts as a protective barrier that separates the cell's internal environment from the external environment. One of its main functions is to recognize and interact with other cells or molecules in its surroundings.
To arrive at this answer, you can eliminate the options that are incorrect. The first two options, "It contains hereditary material" and "It helps plants maintain their shape," are incorrect. The plasma membrane does not contain hereditary material (which is found in the nucleus) and its primary function is not to help plants maintain their shape (this is the role of the cell wall in plants).
The last option, "It helps filter waste inside the cell," is also incorrect. While the plasma membrane controls the movement of molecules in and out of the cell, its primary role is not waste filtration. Waste management is typically handled by other organelles within the cell, such as lysosomes and the endoplasmic reticulum.
Therefore, the correct answer is that the plasma membrane helps recognize other cells.