Question

1. a selectively permeable membrane is important because it:

a. breaks down toxic chemicals
b. allows only certain substances to enter or exit
c. makes energy for the cell
d. stores the cell’s genetic material

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze each option:

• Option a: Breaking down toxic chemicals is a function of organelles like lysosomes, not the selectively permeable membrane.
• Option b: By definition, a selectively permeable membrane regulates the passage of substances, allowing only certain ones to enter or exit the cell.
• Option c: Energy production (e.g., ATP synthesis) occurs in mitochondria or chloroplasts, not related to the membrane's permeability function.
• Option d: Storing genetic material is the role of the nucleus (in eukaryotes) or nucleoid (in prokaryotes), not the membrane.

Answer:

b. Allows only certain substances to enter or exit