SEMIPERMEABLE Meaning and
Definition
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Semipermeable is an adjective used to describe a substance or membrane that allows certain molecules or ions to pass through while restricting the passage of others. It refers to the property of selectively permitting the transmission of specific substances, based on size, charge, or solubility, while blocking others.
The term semipermeable is derived from the Latin words "semi" meaning "half" and "permeare" meaning "to pass through." This phenomenon is commonly observed in biological systems, such as cell membranes, which have the ability to regulate the entry and exit of molecules and ions.
A semipermeable membrane functions by having fine pores or tiny gaps that are large enough for smaller molecules, such as water or gases, to diffuse through but are too small to accommodate larger molecules, such as proteins or ions. This allows for the separation and concentration of substances based on their size or solute concentration.
Semipermeable barriers are widely used in various fields, including biology, medicine, chemistry, and environmental science. Applications in medicine include dialysis, where a semipermeable membrane is employed to remove waste products and excess fluids from the blood in individuals with kidney dysfunction. In environmental science, semipermeable barriers are utilized in technologies such as reverse osmosis to purify water by separating dissolved salts and impurities from the fluid.
Overall, semipermeability represents a crucial property in countless natural and artificial systems, enabling the controlled transport of specific substances while maintaining the integrity and functionality of the system.
Common Misspellings for SEMIPERMEABLE
- semipermable
- aemipermeable
- zemipermeable
- xemipermeable
- demipermeable
- eemipermeable
- wemipermeable
- swmipermeable
- ssmipermeable
- sdmipermeable
- srmipermeable
- s4mipermeable
- s3mipermeable
- senipermeable
- sekipermeable
- sejipermeable
- semupermeable
- semjpermeable
Etymology of SEMIPERMEABLE
The word "semipermeable" is derived from two Latin roots: "semi-" meaning "half" or "partially", and "permeabilis" meaning "that can be passed through".
The term was first used in the field of physics and chemistry in the late 19th century to describe membranes that allow certain substances to pass through while restricting the passage of others. The concept of semipermeability was later applied to biological membranes, such as the cell membrane, whereby they selectively allow the passage of specific molecules or ions.
Similar spelling words for SEMIPERMEABLE
