Question

fill in the blank question
the plasma membrane and everything external to it is called the cell
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Explanation:

In cell biology, the area outside the plasma membrane (the cell's outer boundary) along with the membrane itself is referred to as the cell exterior or more specifically, the cell's external environment. However, the term for the plasma membrane and everything external to it is the cell "periphery" or more accurately, the cell "environment" or in the context of cell structure, the cell "outer region". But the correct term here is "exterior" or more precisely, the cell "surface" - no, wait, the standard term: the plasma membrane and its external environment is called the cell "periphery"? No, the correct term is that the plasma membrane and everything external to it is the cell's "extracellular" space? Wait, no, the question is phrased as "cell [blank]". Wait, the correct term is "cell exterior" or "cell surface" is not right. Wait, actually, the plasma membrane and everything external to it is called the cell "periphery" is incorrect. Wait, let's recall: the cell has the plasma membrane, and outside of it is the extracellular environment. But the question is "the plasma membrane and everything external to it is called the cell [blank]". So the correct term is "cell exterior" or "cell periphery"? No, maybe "cell surface" is not. Wait, no, the correct answer is "cell exterior" or more accurately, the term is "cell membrane" no, wait, no. Wait, the plasma membrane is the cell membrane, and outside of it is the extracellular space. But the question is combining the membrane and its external as the cell [blank]. Wait, maybe the term is "cell envelope"? No, cell envelope is in prokaryotes. Wait, no, the correct answer here is "cell exterior" or "cell surface" is wrong. Wait, let's check: the plasma membrane (cell membrane) and everything external to it (the extracellular matrix, fluid, etc.) is called the cell's "external environment" but the question is "cell [blank]". So the correct term is "cell exterior". Alternatively, maybe "cell periphery". But the standard answer for this fill - in - the - blank is "cell exterior" or more likely, the term is "cell surface" is incorrect. Wait, no, let's think again. The plasma membrane is the boundary, and outside of it is the cell's exterior. So the blank should be filled with "exterior".

Answer:

exterior