membrane
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membrane
In biology, a thin, flexible skin or layer that encloses or separates a cell, organ, or cavity and often regulates the exchange of substances.
Die Zellmembran ist für bestimmte Stoffe durchlässig und für andere nicht.
The cell membrane is permeable to certain substances and not to others.
You can easily recognize the meaning of 'Membran' (membrane) from context. In biological or medical texts, it refers to a thin skin or layer, e.g. 'Zellmembran' (cell membrane). In technical contexts, it means a vibrating disc, e.g. in a 'Lautsprecher' (speaker).
Jede lebende Zelle ist von einer Membran umgeben.
Every living cell is surrounded by a membrane.
'Membran' (membrane) is an internationally used technical term from science and technology. It comes from Latin and is therefore used in a similar form in many languages.
Für diese spezielle Filterung benötigen wir eine synthetische Membran.
For this special filtration, we need a synthetic membrane.
In a biological context, the membrane is often described with the adjective 'durchlässig' (permeable). An important property is whether it is permeable to certain substances or not.
Diese Membran ist nur für Wasser durchlässig.
This membrane is permeable only to water.
In a technical context, the central verb is 'schwingen' (to vibrate). The membrane in a speaker or microphone produces or receives sound by vibrating.
Wenn du die Musik lauter drehst, schwingt die Membran des Lautsprechers stärker.
When you turn the music up, the speaker's membrane vibrates more strongly.
skin
'die Haut' and 'die Membran' can both mean a thin layer on or inside the body. 'Haut' is used in everyday language for the outer layer that covers the body of humans and animals. 'Membran' is more precise and more technical. In biology, it means a thin layer that, for example, separates or surrounds cells or organs. Learners may confuse the words because a membrane is sometimes described as a kind of skin. In everyday language, however, you almost always say 'Haut'. 'Membran' is more appropriate in biology, medicine, or technology.
Im Biologieunterricht haben wir gelernt, dass eine Membran die Zelle umgibt.
In biology class, we learned that a membrane surrounds the cell.
Nach dem langen Spaziergang in der Sonne war meine Haut ganz rot.
After the long walk in the sun, my skin was very red.