PERMEABLE MEMBRANE Meaning and
Definition
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A permeable membrane refers to a thin barrier or boundary that allows certain substances or particles to pass through while blocking the passage of others. It is characterized by its capability to permit the selective transfer or diffusion of specific materials, such as gases, liquids, or ions. The permeability of the membrane is determined by its physical properties and the nature of the molecules or particles attempting to cross it.
Permeable membranes commonly consist of tightly packed cells or materials with microscopic pores that allow the movement of substances. These membranes facilitate the transport of essential elements, such as nutrients or oxygen, across biological structures in living organisms. In biological systems, cells are often enclosed by permeable membranes that help maintain homeostasis by regulating the exchange of substances between the cell and its surroundings.
In various industrial and scientific applications, permeable membranes are instrumental in separation or filtration processes. They can be designed to selectively permit or suppress the passage of specific particles or contaminants, providing a means for purification. Additionally, artificial permeable membranes find use in technologies like reverse osmosis, dialysis, or gas diffusion, where they enable the controlled movement of fluids or solutes based on particle size or charge.
Overall, permeable membranes are essential components in many natural, technological, and scientific systems, playing a vital role in the regulated passage of substances to preserve balance, facilitate filtration, or enable important processes.
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One which permits of the passage of water and of certain dissolved substances (crystalloids); distinguished from a semipermeable m.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for PERMEABLE MEMBRANE
- permeable membranm
- permeable membrana
- permeable membrang
- pe rmeable membrane
- per meable membrane
- perm eable membrane
- perme able membrane
- permea ble membrane
- permeab le membrane
- permeabl e membrane
- permeable m embrane
- permeable me mbrane
- permeable mem brane
- permeable memb rane
- permeable membr ane
- permeable membra ne
- permeable membran e
Etymology of PERMEABLE MEMBRANE
The word "permeable" comes from the Latin word "permeare", meaning "to pass through". The term "membrane" originates from the Latin word "membrana", which refers to a thin, flexible layer. Therefore, the etymology of "permeable membrane" suggests a membrane that allows substances to pass through it.
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