Definition

Relating to something that passes through or exists across a membrane.

Example

The transmembrane protein helps transport substances in and out of the cell.

Conversation

I was reading about cells and came across the term transmembrane proteins.

Oh really? What do they do exactly?

They help substances move across the cell’s membrane, right?

Yes, they play a crucial role in transmembrane transport!

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Transmembrane → It is formed from "trans-" (meaning across) and "membrana" (from Latin, meaning membrane). The word describes something that spans or crosses a membrane.

Memory Tip

Think of something that goes 'across' ('trans-') a 'membrane' ('membrana') — that's what transmembrane means.

Visually Confused Words