Cell membranes are said to be selectively permeable. Which statement best explains what selectively
permeable means?
(1) The cell membrane prevents any harmful substance from entering the cell.
(2) The cell membrane lets certain substances enter the cell and keeps certain substances out of the cell.
(3) The cell membrane allows only large molecules to diffuse into the cell.
(4) The cell membrane has pores that let only water and glucose into the cell and carbon dioxide out

All the cells are surrounded by a cell membrane. The cells membrane is selectively permeable, that is, it allows only some of the ions or molecules to pass through them by assistance of active or passive transport. For example, the molecules of water can passes passively through small pores on the membrane.

Histrionicus Histrionicus · Answer 2 · 2021-08-19T12:54:28-04:00

The correct statement is option 2, that is, the cell membrane allows certain substances to enter the cell and prevents certain substances out of the cell.

All cells have a membrane around them that surrounds the cytoplasm and other cell components.

It is made up of lipid bilayer and protein embedded in them. The cells membrane is selectively permeable.

As it suggests with the name it is selective in its permeability which means it allows only certain substances or molecules to pass through them either inside the cell or outside of the cells by the assistance of active transport or passive transport.
It is important to note that the membrane can also block the passage of materials depending on the conditions inside or outside of the cell.
The type of transport is decided by the size and concentration of the molecule on the inside and outside of the cell.

Thus the correct answer is option 2) The cell membrane lets certain substances enter the cell and keeps certain substances out of the cell.

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