Final answer:
Selective permeability is the characteristic of a cell membrane that allows only certain materials to pass through. It is achieved through the phospholipid bilayer of the membrane, which acts as a barrier. One example of selective permeability is the movement of water through the cell membrane by diffusion in a process called osmosis.
Step-by-step explanation:
Selective permeability is the characteristic of a cell membrane that allows only certain materials to pass through. The cell membrane is made up of a phospholipid bilayer which has hydrophobic tails and hydrophilic heads. This arrangement creates a barrier that only allows substances with specific size, charge, and solubility properties to pass through. One example of selective permeability is the movement of water molecules through the cell membrane by diffusion in a process called osmosis.
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