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The function of controlling the passage of materials is crucial for maintaining the cell's internal environment and ensuring that essential substances enter and waste products exit efficiently. This role is predominantly performed by the cell membrane, which acts as a selective barrier. The cell membrane is composed of a phospholipid bilayer embedded with proteins, cholesterol, and carbohydrates, allowing it to regulate the movement of ions, nutrients, and other molecules into and out of the cell. By controlling what passes through, the cell can maintain homeostasis, protect its internal processes, and ensure proper functioning.

In contrast, while producing energy, storing information, and defending against pathogens are certainly important cellular functions, they do not address the primary role of managing the movement of materials into and out of the cell as effectively as the cell membrane does. Each of these functions is associated with specific cellular structures or processes but does not directly relate to the fundamental aspect of regulating material passage, which significantly impacts the cell's overall viability and health.