The membrane is selectively permeable because substances do not cross it indiscriminately. Some molecules, such as hydrocarbons and oxygen can cross the membrane. Many large molecules (such as glucose and other sugars) cannot. Water can pass through between the lipids.
Cell membranes only allow some molecules through. This characteristic is why cell membranes are selectively permeable. They are not impermeable (not letting anything pass) nor are they freely permeable (letting everything can pass). This quality allows a cell to control what enters and exits it.
Cell membranes are an example of semi-permeable membranes. Cell membranes allow small molecules such as oxygen, water carbon dioxide, and oxygen to pass through but do not allow larger molecules like glucose, sucrose, proteins, and starch to enter the cell directly.May 13, 2020