What is meant by cell membrane is semipermeable?

Answer 1

It allows only certain molecules to pass through.

Answer 2

semi-permeable is the same as the term selectively permeable. This means that a cell can "pick and choose" what it lets in and out. This allows the cell to get what it needs and let go anything that is not useful to it.

Answer 3

It means that the cell membrane, which is composed of phospholipid bilayer, cholesterol, glycoprotein, glycolipid, intrinsic proteins and extrinsic proteins, only allows certain molecules to pass through. These molecules include small, non-polar molecules. Polar molecules are unable to pass through the phospholipid bilayer (cell membrane) because they are repelled by the hydrophobic core of the cell. Large molecules are unable to pass through the cell membrane due to the tight packing of the phospholipid bilayer. Sometimes, small polar molecules are able to pass through the phospholipid bilayer because of the transient pores that form.

Hence, due to the fact that the cell membrane controls what moves in and out of the cell, it is termed as partially permeable (semi-permeable).

Answer 4

A semipermeable cell membrane allows certain substances to pass through while restricting the flow of others. It controls the movement of ions and molecules in and out of the cell, helping to maintain cellular function and regulate the internal environment.

Answer 5

It means that the cell membrane allows some substances to pass through it, but not others.

Answer 6

it allows only certain molecules to pass through...

Answer 7

The membrane is very specific about what it allows to pass through.

Answer 8

It means that the membrane only allows certain molecules to pass through.