Final answer:
Cells have semi-permeable or selectively permeable membranes, allowing specific solvents and solutes to pass based on criteria like molecule size and charge. Answer A is correct; semi-permeable membranes allow only solvent passage, while selectively permeable membranes permit both solvent and specified solutes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The difference between a semi-permeable membrane and a selectively permeable membrane in cell biology is that a semi-permeable membrane allows the passage of only certain solvents (typically water), while a selectively permeable membrane allows the passage of both solvents and specific solutes that meet certain criteria such as size, shape, polarity, or charge. The correct answer is A) Semi-permeable allows passage to solvents only; selectively permeable permits solvent and specific solutes. This means that cell membranes control the entry and exit of substances in a very precise manner, which is crucial for the cell's survival and function.
Semi-permeable membranes have small pores that only allow small molecules to pass through. On the other hand, selectively permeable membranes may allow certain solutes to dissolve or react with molecules within the membrane as they cross. This is fundamental to processes such as osmosis, where solvent molecules move through a semi-permeable membrane from an area of higher concentration to one of lower concentration. In conclusion, the terms semi-permeable and selectively permeable generally describe the same concept, but with a slight difference in the scope of substances they allow to pass.