answersLogoWhite

0


Want this question answered?

Be notified when an answer is posted

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: Why can oxygen diffuse access a cell membrane but a protein cannot?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Continue Learning about Chemistry

What type of molecules cannot pass through the lipid bilayer of a cell membrane through diffusion?

Ions cannot pass through such as Na+ and K+ - these require membrane proteins. Some larged polar molecules cannot cross either - such as glucose and sucrose - these also require membrane proteins.


What type of particles can diffuse?

Gas and liquid particles can diffuse because they are free to move around unlike solid particles that can only vibrate on the spot but cannot move from place to place.(Hope I have answered your question :P )


What molecules have the most difficult time passing through the cell membrane alcohol or oxygen gas or carbon dioxide gas or sodium ion?

Firstly, sodium ions would never get past the membrane without a carrier protein, ions (charged atoms) don't go through the membrane on their own. If the cell has a protein carrier capable of transporting the sodium ion, if there's water in the environment to encapsulate the ion so that it can go through and if the cell has ATP to spend then it shouldn't be too difficult.Secondly, oxygen and carbon dioxide gas? There shouldn't be gas in your bloodstream to begin with. Non gaseous O2 and CO2 cannot diffuse passively into cells quite easily based on concentration gradients. They're small but apolar molecules.Alcohol comes in many forms, you have bigger and smaller alcohol molecules. It's polar, and so is the part of the membrane that is facing the outside and inside of the cell, but the middle part is apolar, so any molecule such as alcohol might have a few problems going through there, especially the bigger molecules.


Why are some cells types more permeable to a substance than others?

All cells in our body exhibit the property of selective permeability. Selective permeable membrane allows certain sized particles to enter the cytoplasm while restricting large sized macromolecules. Ions can diffuse through the plasma membrane via various ion pumps.


What is the difference between filtration and ultrafiltration?

Filtration is done by a filter paper, while ultrafiltration is done by a semipermeable membrane. Solute particles that are 1-200nm in diameter can pass through filter paper, but cannot penetrate the semipermeable membrane. Only particles with a diameter less than 1nm can pass through the semipermeable membrane.

Related questions

Why can oxygen diffuse across a cell membrane but a protein cannot-?

Proteins are to large or Oxygen is much smaller than a protein.


Why can oxygen diffuse across a cells membrane but a protein cannot?

Proteins are to large or Oxygen is much smaller than a protein.


What are three macromolecules that cannot diffuse across a cell membrane?

Any protein, any fat, and most polypeptides.


What the role of protein channels in the cell membrane?

Protein channels are important to facilitate the transport of ions and other larger molecules across the plasma membrane. Large molecules cannot just diffuse thorough the membrane. In addition, polar molecules cannot diffuse through the membrane since it would be energetically unfavorable for them to negotiate the hydrophobic interior of the plasma membrane. Therefore, protein channels are essential in membrane transport.


What are the special structures in the cell membrane that allow water and sugar pass through it made of?

These special structures are called protein gates or protein channels. Water is able to diffuse through the cell membrane since it is a small molecule. However, there are channels called aquaporins that allow water to enter the cell. A glucose molecule cannot just diffuse into a cell. There are glucose channels on the surface of the cell membrane that bind glucose molecules and allow them to enter the cell.


Why can oxygen diffuse across a cell but a protein cannot?

Oxygen is much smaller than a protein.proteins are too largeDifference in size


Can ATP passively diffuse across cell membrane?

The universal energy molecule of the cell, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) cannot passively diffuse across the cell membranes. Despite its low molecular weight, ATP carries a strong negative charge making it hydrophilic and thus unable to diffuse across the lipophilic cellular membrane.


What must be used to transport materials that cannot diffuse across the membrane?

They must pumped actively. So energy in ATP is used.


Why can oxygen diffuses across a cell membrane but a protein cannot?

Proteins are to large or Oxygen is much smaller than a protein.


Can all molecules diffuse through all cell membranes?

No, there are specific cell membranes that allow only certain molecules to pass through. Some stay open and others must be opened ( like a gate ).


What large molecules need help getting across cell membrane?

In general, molecules that cannot diffuse across the cell membrane are either very large, such as starches and fats, or very polar.


Are proteins found in the cell membrane?

There are many uses for proteins in a cell membrane but the most common ones are: 1. Facilitated diffusion- a protein acts almost like a channel to allow molecules that cannot fit across the phospholipid bilayer to diffuse into/out of the cell 2. Active transport- proteins are used to move particles across the membrane from low to high concentration, using energy. 3. As receptor molecules which take signals from things like hormones.