What is the role of the cell membrane?

The role of the cell membrane is to control substance movement in and out of the cell, which is crucial for maintaining homeostasis. The cell membrane, also known as the plasma membrane, is a selectively permeable barrier that regulates what enters and exits the cell. It achieves this through various mechanisms such as passive transport, active transport, and facilitated diffusion, allowing essential nutrients to enter while keeping harmful substances out.

This selective permeability is vital for processes such as nutrient uptake, waste removal, and ion balance, all of which are essential for the cell's survival and function. The structural components of the cell membrane, including phospholipids and proteins, play key roles in its functionality, making it an integral part of cellular processes. The other options pertain to different cellular structures or functions: energy production is generally managed by mitochondria, genetic information storage occurs in the nucleus, and protein synthesis is primarily carried out by ribosomes in conjunction with the rough endoplasmic reticulum.