Final answer:
Cells must move out wastes from metabolic processes to maintain homeostasis, and cellular mechanisms help avoid osmotic disruption through selective permeability of the plasma membrane.
Step-by-step explanation:
Other than water, a cell needs to move out certain substances to maintain proper function and homeostasis. One such substance that needs to be moved out of a cell is wastes produced from the metabolic processes required to sustain life. If the cell membrane lost selectivity, osmotic disruption could occur, causing cells to take on water and potentially burst due to the impermeability of the cell membrane to expansion.
Cells have mechanisms to actively transport vital ions like sodium and potassium using energy in the form of ATP. Prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells both utilize the plasma membrane to maintain homeostasis by allowing some substances to pass while keeping others out, thereby regulating internal conditions despite environmental changes. This selective permeability is essential for cells to obtain materials from extracellular fluids and to prevent the accumulation of excess water or solutes that could lead to cellular damage.