Cell membrane proteins can classified as integral or peripheral on the basis of:

Answer

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Cell Membrane Proteins**:
- Cell membrane proteins are essential components of the cell membrane and play various roles in cellular functions. They can be classified into two main categories: integral proteins and peripheral proteins.

2. **Defining Integral Proteins**:
- Integral proteins are those that are either partially or completely embedded within the lipid bilayer of the cell membrane. This means they span across the membrane and are integral to its structure.

3. **Defining Peripheral Proteins**:
- Peripheral proteins, on the other hand, are not embedded within the membrane. Instead, they are loosely attached to the outer or inner surfaces of the membrane through various interactions, such as ionic bonds or hydrogen bonds.

4. **Basis of Classification**:
- The classification of these proteins as integral or peripheral is primarily based on their **ease of extraction** from the membrane.
- Integral proteins are difficult to extract because they are embedded within the lipid bilayer, requiring the disruption of the membrane to isolate them.
- Peripheral proteins can be easily extracted since they are only loosely associated with the membrane and can be removed with mild treatments that do not disrupt the lipid bilayer.

5. **Conclusion**:
- Therefore, the classification of cell membrane proteins into integral and peripheral is based on their **ease of extraction** from the cell membrane.