Cross-Section of the Cell Membrane
Which molecules will allowed through the lipid bilayer and which ones may need the help of a protein?
$\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}, \mathrm{CO}_{2}$, Glucose $\left(\mathrm{C}_{6} \mathrm{H}_{12} \mathrm{O}_{6}\right)$, Starch (lots of glucoses), Potassium $\left(\mathrm{K}^{+}\right)$, estrogen, $\mathrm{Na}$

Question

Cross-Section of the Cell Membrane
Which molecules will allowed through the lipid bilayer and which ones may need the help of a protein?
$\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}, \mathrm{CO}_{2}$, Glucose $\left(\mathrm{C}_{6} \mathrm{H}_{12} \mathrm{O}_{6}\right)$, Starch (lots of glucoses), Potassium $\left(\mathrm{K}^{+}\right)$, estrogen, $\mathrm{Na}$

Accepted Answer

∻Answer∻ ⚹ The molecules that can pass through the lipid bilayer include $\mathrm{H}_{2}\mathrm{O}$, $\mathrm{CO}_{2}$, and estrogen. Glucose, starch, potassium ($\mathrm{K}^{+}$), and sodium ($\mathrm{Na}^{+}$) will need the help of a protein to pass through the lipid bilayer. ⚹ ∻Solution∻ ‖ a ⋮ Small nonpolar molecules: These can easily pass through the lipid bilayer due to their nonpolar nature and small size. ‖ ‖ b ⋮ Small polar molecules: While not as permeable as nonpolar molecules, some small polar molecules like water can pass through the membrane, but often more slowly and sometimes with the help of channel proteins. ‖ ‖ c ⋮ Large polar molecules: These, such as glucose, cannot pass through the lipid bilayer without the assistance of transport proteins due to their size and polarity. ‖ ‖ d ⋮ Ions: Charged particles like potassium ($\mathrm{K}^{+}$) and sodium ($\mathrm{Na}^{+}$) cannot pass through the hydrophobic lipid bilayer without specific ion channels or transporters. ‖ ‖ e ⋮ Large molecules: Starch, being a large polymer of glucose, is too large to pass through the lipid bilayer and requires transport in vesicles. ‖ ‖ f ⋮ Steroid hormones: These are nonpolar and can pass through the lipid bilayer without assistance. ‖ ∻Key Concept∻ ⚹ Permeability of the lipid bilayer is determined by the size, polarity, and charge of molecules. ⚹ ∻Explanation∻ ⚹ Small nonpolar molecules and some small polar molecules can diffuse through the lipid bilayer, while large polar molecules and ions require proteins to facilitate their transport. ⚹◊What specific characteristics of molecules determine whether they can pass through the cell membrane without the help of a protein?⍭ Generate me a similar question◊

Sia