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What property of the cell membrane allows it to maintain cell homeostasis?

Please help! My bio semester final is tomorrow and I came across this question on our study guide. I don' ever remember learning this. If you know the answer, you are my hero! =^.^=

4 Answers

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  • 1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    The fact that it is semi-permeable and allows materials to pass through. (small molecules like water and oxygen are moved through passive transport)

    Larger molecules are passed through active transport

  • 1 decade ago

    I think that it deals with the generation of an action potential. The cell is able to hyperpolarize and depolarize as needed to maintain homeostasis.

    1-resting state: voltaged gated ions (K and Na) are closed

    2-depolarization phase: Na ion channels open, Na rushes into the cell. Membrane potential becomes positive.

    3-repolarization: As Na decreases, K gates open, k rushes out of the cell following the electrochemical gradient.

    4-undershoot: K gates are slow to close so the cell becomes slightly more negative

    5-clean up: ionic balance is restored. the cell uses sodium and potassium pumps to restore the voltage gradient.

    Result: The cell is in homeostasis.

  • 1 decade ago

    Cell membranes allow for the flow of particles, nutrients and required materials to flow in and out of cell. They are made of lipid bilayers who are arranged with opposite charges on the inside and outside. So if the cell needs water, through the process of osmosis, the cell can set up a gradient and the membrane will allow for water to flow in the cell until it is necessary.

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    Pronambria?

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