Class 9
Chapter 5 Class 9 - The Fundamental Unit of Life

Why is the plasma membrane called a selectively permeable membrane?

 

Answer:

Permeable means something which allows other substances to pass through it

Plasma membrane is called selectively permeable due to the fact that it indeed does allow substances to pass through it but not all substances

It selectively allows certain substances such as tiny water molecules to pass through it and enter the cell but it blocks out other large molecules that are not required by the cell. 

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CA Maninder Singh is a Chartered Accountant for the past 14 years and a teacher from the past 18 years. He teaches Science, Economics, Accounting and English at Teachoo