Lipid rafts are specialized subdomains of the plasma membrane characterized by high concentrations of cholesterol and glycosphingolipids, forming liquid-ordered regions resistant to nonionic detergents. These rafts, which can be small in size but constitute a significant fraction of the plasma membrane, contain a variety of proteins, particularly those involved in cell signaling. The review discusses the physical characteristics of lipid rafts, their role in signal transduction, and the mechanisms through which they control signaling pathways. Lipid rafts may contain incomplete signaling pathways activated upon receptor recruitment, limit signaling by sequestering components or suppressing intrinsic protein activities, and play a role in signal termination through endocytic events. The review also examines the lipid and protein composition of lipid rafts, their size, and the segregation of components into distinct rafts. It highlights the importance of lipid rafts in receptor tyrosine kinase and G protein-coupled receptor signaling, including the effects of cholesterol depletion on signaling events. Overall, lipid rafts are crucial for organizing and regulating cellular signaling processes.Lipid rafts are specialized subdomains of the plasma membrane characterized by high concentrations of cholesterol and glycosphingolipids, forming liquid-ordered regions resistant to nonionic detergents. These rafts, which can be small in size but constitute a significant fraction of the plasma membrane, contain a variety of proteins, particularly those involved in cell signaling. The review discusses the physical characteristics of lipid rafts, their role in signal transduction, and the mechanisms through which they control signaling pathways. Lipid rafts may contain incomplete signaling pathways activated upon receptor recruitment, limit signaling by sequestering components or suppressing intrinsic protein activities, and play a role in signal termination through endocytic events. The review also examines the lipid and protein composition of lipid rafts, their size, and the segregation of components into distinct rafts. It highlights the importance of lipid rafts in receptor tyrosine kinase and G protein-coupled receptor signaling, including the effects of cholesterol depletion on signaling events. Overall, lipid rafts are crucial for organizing and regulating cellular signaling processes.