General ---------Biology----------------------------------------------------- ------------------Online----------------------------------- Ch. 8 Membrane Structure and Function

Membrane proteins function as attachment points for the cytoskeleton, helping to maintain cell shape.  Similar attachments occur with the extracellular matrix.  When an amoeba engulfs a food particle by phagocytosis, they do this by a coordinated extension and contraction of the cytoskeleton that is attached to the membrane by proteins.  

The extracellular matrix is material such as bone, cartilage and connective tissue that is deposited outside the cell membrane and serves to provide structure to the tissue. 

Bone is a living tissue with cells, a blood supply and a hard extracellular matrix (ECM). The image below was taken from Ch. 40 Animal Structure and Function of your text.

 Ch. 8 Contents and
Endocytosis and Exocytosis