Describe a selectively permeable membrane.
Describe a selectively permeable membrane.
The membrane is defined as a boundary of a living cell or organelles. Membranes are made up of phospholipids bilayer. The phospholipids' polar side chain faces the intracellular and extracellular milieu, while the fatty acids for the hydrophobic core of the membrane.
The membranes in living systems are selectively permeable. This is because they allow certain molecules to pass through/travel while restricting others.
Biological membranes are impermeable to charged species (ions/molecules) because of the membrane's hydrophobic core. The movement of ions across the membrane happens with the help of ion channels, ATPases, and facilitated diffusion, while water is capable of traveling through the membrane by osmosis.
The permeability of a membrane depends on the solute type, size, solubility, concentration on either side of the membrane, and the solute properties. The membrane is most permeable to small uncharged solutes.
Step by step
Solved in 3 steps
