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If you break down the two words, selective means to only pick certain things, and permeable means to let pass through.

When you talk about something being "selectively permeable", it usually refers to a cell membrane because it only lets in certain nutrients and lets out proteins and what not.

I hope this answers your question.

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Bridgette Sipes

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3y ago

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Define selectively permeable?

A selectively permeable membrane allows certain substances to pass through while restricting the passage of others based on size, charge, or other properties. This property is important for controlling the movement of molecules in and out of cells and organelles.


Define the term osmosis?

Osmosis is the movement of water molecules across a semi-permeable membrane from an area of higher water concentration to an area of lower water concentration, in order to equalize the concentration of solute on both sides of the membrane.


What is cell membrane define?

The cell membrane is a thin, semi-permeable barrier that surrounds the cytoplasm of a cell. It controls the movement of substances in and out of the cell, allowing nutrients to enter and waste products to exit. The cell membrane also helps maintain the cell's shape and structure.


What is one major roll of fats in the cell membrane?

One major role of fats in the cell membrane is to provide structure and stability. Fats, specifically phospholipids, make up the lipid bilayer of the cell membrane, creating a barrier that controls the movement of substances in and out of the cell. Additionally, fats in the cell membrane can also serve as energy storage molecules.


Define osmosis in simple anatomy and physiology?

In simple terms: Osmosis is when water moves from a place with lots of water through a tissue wall to an area where there is less water. For example, if a cell is placed in water, because there is more water outside the cell than inside, the water molecules will start to move from outside the cell, through the cell wall and into the cell, causing it to swell, until the amount of water inside the cell is the same as outside.

Related Questions

Define selectively permeable?

A selectively permeable membrane allows certain substances to pass through while restricting the passage of others based on size, charge, or other properties. This property is important for controlling the movement of molecules in and out of cells and organelles.


Define the term osmosis?

Osmosis is the movement of water molecules across a semi-permeable membrane from an area of higher water concentration to an area of lower water concentration, in order to equalize the concentration of solute on both sides of the membrane.


What is the easiest way to define osmosis?

Osmosis is the movement of water molecules from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration through a selectively permeable membrane, such as a cell membrane. This process helps to maintain the balance of water and solutes in living organisms.


What is the define of vacuoles?

Membrane-bound sacs that are filled with fluid.


How do you define osmosis?

Osmosis is the movement of solvent molecules (usually water) across a semipermeable membrane from an area of low solute concentration to an area of high solute concentration, in order to equalize the solute concentration on both sides of the membrane. It is a passive transport process that does not require energy.


How is osmosis related to solution types?

We define Osmosis as the passage of water from a dilute solution via a membrane which is semi permeable to a more concentrate solution. It means that Semi permeable membrane is a very thin layer of material which allows some molecule to pass through them and prevent some molecule from pass through them. These molecules are decided by the type of solution. Generally, the membrane only allows movement of H2O molecules. So, if on one side is a saturated solution of something while on the other side is a dilute solution, the movement of molecules will be from both the directions but net result will be from saturated to dilute solution.


Define osmosis and diffusion?

Osmosis is the random movement of particles across (through) a partially permeable membrane along a concentration gradient from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration. Diffusion is the random movement of particles in a solution from an area of high concentration to low concentration. Eventually the particles will be uniformly and randomly distributed.


How do you define term membrane transport?

Membrane transport is the collection of mechanisms that regulate the passage of solutes and small molecules through biological membranes.


Define the structure and function of the cell membrane plasma membrane?

The cell membrane consists of a lipid bilayer which is actually a phospholipid. Cell membranes are semipermiable and they regulate what enters and leaves the cell.


What is the function of the carbohydrates that stick out if the plasma membrane?

The carbohydrates help identify chemical signals and define the characteristics of the cell.


Define reverse osmosis?

Reverse Osmosis is the method of producing pure water by forcing saline or impure water through a semipermeable membrane across which salts or impurities cannot pass. Reverse osmosis is used for water filtration, for desalinization of seawater, and in kidney dialysis machines.


Define When a cell use energy to move material across cell membrane?

if it is against a concentration difference.