2006-08-09 18:53:11 · 9 answers · asked by jhoebbhiey R 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
No oxygen in, no waste products out.
2006-08-09 18:58:26 · answer #1 · answered by Tonks_Fan! 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think the previous answers, though correct, are missing the point: If it were not semi-permeable then what it would be?
The first possibility is already discussed in the previous answers;that is the membrane would be impermeable, nothing would come in or out of the cell, so of course it would die without nutrients.
The second possibility is that it is permeable to all molecules.
Then the cell will surely die; it is a mechanism of how some antibiotics work.
In this case all molecules woul be free to diffuse in and out of the cell. Thus the cell wouldn't be able to keep key components inside it if the openings were too big. Also it would fail to keep the pH constant and most importantly it would not be able to generate electrochemical gradients of ions and membrane potential which are crucial for energy production. Thus it would die simply because it will not be able to produce energy any more.
2006-08-09 21:59:05 · answer #2 · answered by bellerophon 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yet another word for semi-permeable is selectively permeable, meaning the cellular membrane in straightforward words shall we some issues enter it. As you recognize, we (and each thing else) are made up thoroughly of cells. and also you also recognize that we want oxygen, water and nutrition to stay. If our cells weren't semi-permeable, we may all die! that is because our cells take contained in the oxygen, etc. to apply it and to stay! Many different strategies happen contained in the cellular that make it necessary for the membrane to with the help of selectively permeable, alongside with expelling wastes. also, osmosis (diffusion of water) is fairly major with the aid of the undeniable fact that is what keeps us from getting dehydrated, because water is one ingredient that is authorized to flow by ability of the membrane. without semi-permeable cells, water would not do you any reliable! desire that facilitates! reliable success on your homework! ;-)
2016-11-23 18:49:10 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the membrane were non-permeable nothing would be able to pass in or out, meaning that the cell would not be able to get nutrients (O2, H20, etc) or release toxic by-products. The membrane is semi-permeable (has hydrophobic and hydrophilic parts) to allow these important things to pass in and out while still keeping harmful things outside of the cell.
2006-08-09 19:02:16 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
plasma membrane allows only some materials to move in and out of the cell...if it wasnt a semi-permeable membrane then waste materials would still remain in the cell and it would accumulate in the cell thus causing it to die.
2006-08-09 22:25:33 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
semi-permeable membranes allow toxins to leave the cell and allow key elements to enter the cell.. either the cell would die due to lack of some nutrient.. or it would die becuase of an excess of waste trapped withing the cell
sounds like a Homework question for biology ..tisk tisk
2006-08-09 19:00:55 · answer #6 · answered by surrounded with surreality 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
semi-permeability allows the transport of substances IN and OUT of the cell. the substances maybe needed by the cells in order for its normal activities like water and other chemicals and enzymes and also products inside the cell that may need transporting to other cells.
2006-08-11 21:25:44 · answer #7 · answered by genetic_addict 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They would never get food or be able to discard waste, which is essential to their survival.
2006-08-09 19:10:15 · answer #8 · answered by thespeakeris tooloud 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it would never get new nutrients. but you'll probably want more than that before turning in to your bio teacher
2006-08-09 18:59:41 · answer #9 · answered by spiffo 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋