Semipermeable membrane

Semipermeable membrane is a type of biological or synthetic, polymeric membrane that will

allow certain molecules or ions to pass through it by osmosis. The rate of passage depends on
the pressure, concentration, and temperature of the molecules or solutes on either side, as well
as the permeability of the membrane to each solute. Depending on the membrane and the
solute, permeability may depend on solute size, solubility, properties, or chemistry. How the
membrane is constructed to be selective in its permeability will determine the rate and the
permeability. Many natural and synthetic materials which are rather thick are also
semipermeable. One example of this is the thin film on the inside of the egg.[1]

Biological membranes are selectively permeable,[2] with the passage of molecules controlled by
facilitated diffusion, passive transport or active transport regulated by proteins embedded in
the membrane.

An example of a biological semi-permeable membrane is the lipid bilayer,[2] on which is based

the plasma membrane that surrounds all biological cells. A group of phospholipids (consisting of
a phosphate head and two fatty acid tails) arranged into a double layer, the phospholipid bilayer
is a semipermeable membrane that is very specific in its permeability. The hydrophilic
phosphate heads are in the outside layer and exposed to the water content outside and within
the cell. The hydrophobic tails are the layer hidden in the inside of the membrane. The
phospholipid bilayer is most permeable to small, uncharged solutes. Protein channels are
embedded in or through phospholipids,[3] and, collectively, this model is known as the fluid
mosaic model. Aquaporins are protein channel pores permeable to water.
Information can also pass through the plasma membrane when signaling molecules bind to
receptors in the cell membrane. The signaling molecules bind to the receptors, which alters the
structure of these proteins.[4] A change in the protein structure initiates a signalling cascade;[4]

The G protein-coupled receptor signalling provides is an important subset of such signalling

processes.