How is a cell membrane selectively permeable - what permeates and what does not? How is a dialysis membrane selectively permeable - what Dermeates and what does not? Solution The cell membrane is said to be selectively permeable as it allow some substances to enter through while limiting the passage of others. Three ways in which the cell membrane controls the movement of substances is diffusion, facilitated diffusion and active transport. The cell membrane, or plasma membrane has lipid bilayer with their hydrophobic tails facing each other and their hydrophilic heads in the exterior and interior of the cell membrane. With diffusion, substances such as water, oxygen and carbon dioxide flow from a place of high concentration to a place of low concentration. In facilitated diffusion, ions and large molecules pass thru a membrane down their concentration gradients. Active transport require energy to power the pumps that pass substances from one side of the membrane to the other in opposition to their concentration gradients. For example, the sodium- potassium pump pumps 3 sodium ions out and 2 potassium ions into the cell using the ATP. This dialysis membrane is selectively permeable regenerated cellulose used to illustrate the principles of osmosis and diffusion. Pores within the membrane allow the passage of water, most ions, and small molecules. High molecular weight debris along with starch, polysaccharides, fats and protein are limited..