The study of processes and reactions whose developments have been inspired by the biological membrane. Faithful modeling of the biomembrane is not an objective of membrane mimetic chemistry. Rather, only the essential components of natural systems are recreated from relatively simple, synthesized molecules. Mimetic systems are designed for well-defined purposes. The insight gained into the functioning of real membranes is considered a bonus. (The term membrane mimetic is more restrictive than the term biomimetic. Biomimetic chemistry is directed at the mechanistic elucidation of biochemical reactions and at the development of new compounds modeled on, and expected to mimic, specific biological systems. The focal point of most biomimetic chemistry is enzyme modeling.)