Peripheral proteins are primarily characterized as being:

Peripheral proteins are primarily characterized as hydrophilic and not embedded in the membrane. These proteins are typically located on the surface of the cell membrane, either attached to integral membrane proteins or directly interacting with the polar heads of phospholipids. Because they do not penetrate the hydrophobic core of the lipid bilayer, peripheral proteins are generally soluble in aqueous environments, which aligns with their hydrophilic nature.

Understanding the nature of peripheral proteins is important in cell biology, as they play various roles, including providing structural support, facilitating cell signaling, and assisting in the transportation of materials across the membrane. Their lack of embedding in the membrane distinguishes them from integral proteins, which do span across the membrane or are embedded in the membrane's hydrophobic interior. This distinction is crucial for understanding how different types of membrane proteins function within cellular processes.