Semi-permeable

Describing a material or membrane that allows certain molecules or ions to pass through it while blocking others, often used in biological, chemical, and physical contexts to describe selective permeability in various processes such as osmosis and filtration.

Semi-permeable meaning with examples

• In biology, the cell membrane is often described as semi-permeable, allowing nutrients to enter the cell while keeping harmful substances out, thus maintaining homeostasis.
• Semi-permeable membranes are crucial in processes like reverse osmosis, where water is removed from contaminants by allowing only water molecules to pass through while retaining impurities.
• In laboratory experiments, researchers utilize semi-permeable barriers to investigate the movement of solutes across membranes, which helps in understanding cellular functions and drug delivery systems.
• In environmental science, semi-permeable liners are used in landfills to prevent leachate from contaminating groundwater, effectively controlling the migration of pollutants.
• In medical applications, semi-permeable dialysis membranes are employed to filter waste products from the blood, allowing essential substances to remain while removing toxins in patients undergoing kidney treatment.