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Because there is a hydrophobic core in the phospholipid bilayer, it may be difficult for water molecules to pass through the membrane. Therefore, there are proteins that aid this process called aquaporins.

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14y ago
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12y ago

Water molecules are significantly small, therefore their charge is outweighed by this fact and they can slip between the hydrophobic tails.

EDIT: Uh, no it can't. It goes through the intrinsic protein channels known as aquaporins.

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16y ago

BY OSMOSIS

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Q: Why cant water simply diffuse through the phospholipid bilayer?
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What is the process of taking material into a cell?

There are a huge number of ways that this can occur. Water can simply diffuse through the cell membrane through osmosis, while other substances diffuse through special channels in the cell membrane. Some substances have to be brought into the cell through active transport, which requires the use of ATP.


What substance cannot pass directly through the phospholipids of the plasma membrane?

Many different things cannot pass through, including sugars, salts and proteins. However, oxygen, water and carbon dioxide can simply diffuse across the membrane.


What is a fluid mosaic model?

Simply put, the fluid mosaic model is a description of the membrane of a cell. The fluid part refers to the phospholipids of a cell membrane, which, like liquid, flow. The mosaic part refers to proteins embedded in the phospholipid bilayer that act as conduits through which molecules enter and exit the cell.____________The currently accepted model of cell membrane structure, which envisions the membrane as a mosaic of individually inserted protein molecules drifting laterally in a fluid bilayer of phospholipids.Fluid mosaic is a term used to describe the current model of the cell membrane.Cell membranes are basically double layers (bilayers) of molecules called phospholipids. 'Floating' in the phospholipid bilayer are molecules of protein. a mosaic is a structure made up of many different parts. Viewed from above the membrane would look something like a mosaic - a 'sea' of lipid with many 'islands' of protein.The lipid bilayer is not rigid, and the lipid and protein molecules are able to move sideways in the membrane i.e. the membrane is fluid.This model of the cell membrane was proposed by Singer and Nicolson in 1972, and has been supported by many experiments since then.model for cell membrane given by SJ singer and GL Nicholoson


Would sugar's starch or salt diffuse faster in a dialysis bag?

When considering a dialysis bag, size will determine whether the molecules will permeate the bag. The smaller the molecules, the easier they well be able to pass through, and the faster diffusion will take place. Starch is a carbohydrate - a macromolecule formed from repeating bonded units of glucose monomers. Salt, in comparison, is simply Na+ and Cl- ions (in the aqueous solution). Starch will have a much tougher time getting through the artificial membrane, so it is a safe bet that salt will diffuse faster.


What is the function of cell membrane in a cell?

The function of the cell membrane is not just something that simply controls something. It is more like a barrier that only allows certain molecules inside through certain means. Its through the phospholipid bilayer that smaller molecules which are non-polar can pass through (since the lipid tail are hydrophobic). Other molecules especially the ones that are too big like waste and large sugar compounds must go through carrier proteins, or more technical, transmembrane proteins. It is through either facilitate (passive) transport and active transport that these molecules are allowed to pass through. In short it acts like a bouncer, letting only certain things in. But this analogy is very shallow.

Related questions

How do cell's hormones enter?

They simply pass through the cell membrane of the targeted cell. This is possible because steroid hormones are fat-soluble, and the fluid mosaic ( phospholipid bilayer ) prevents fat-insoluble molecules from diffusing into the cell.


How do cells move through the cell membrane?

Materials move into and out of cells through active transport, diffusion, and osmosis.Active transport occurs when the cell must use energy to actively move the materials up (against) their concentration gradient.Diffusion is passive. This means the cell need not expend energy, the material simply moves from an area of higher concentration to areas of lower concentration. (For example, cook bacon in the kitchen and the smell fills the entire house.)Oxygen and carbon dioxide diffuse across the phospholipid bilayer. Other substances diffuse through proteins embedded in the membrane; this is called facilitated diffusion.Osmosis is the movement of water through a semi-permeable membrane (also called a selectively permeable or differentially permeable membrane), into the solution with the higher solute concentration. This is also a passive process.


Why didn't the corn syrup diffuse into the egg?

Becuase eggshell is a impermabale membrane.


What is the process of taking material into a cell?

There are a huge number of ways that this can occur. Water can simply diffuse through the cell membrane through osmosis, while other substances diffuse through special channels in the cell membrane. Some substances have to be brought into the cell through active transport, which requires the use of ATP.


What is a double layer surrounding the nucleus of a cell?

The membrane surrounding the nucleus is simply called the nuclear membrane. It is a phospholipid bilayer. The nuclear membrane merges with the endoplasmic reticulum, and you can learn more by using the link below.


What is the functions to the cell membrane?

The Cell membrane contains the insides of the cell. The membrane is also selectively permeable, allowing nonpolar molecules to simply diffuse into the cells, such as lipids, steroid based hormones, CO2, etc. It also allows small polar molecules to diffuse through, such as H2O.


What is heat transfer by convection caused by?

Heat transfer during convection heating is simply caused by diffuse expansion through liquid with regard to the force of buoyancy. This phenomenon can be noticed in nature as well as forced in the lab


What substance cannot pass directly through the phospholipids of the plasma membrane?

Many different things cannot pass through, including sugars, salts and proteins. However, oxygen, water and carbon dioxide can simply diffuse across the membrane.


Where will the air go if it is leaked in space?

The air will simply spread out in space, eventually forming an extremely diffuse cloud.


What helps form cell membrane?

Fats are known as lipids in biology. Cell membranes consists of a phospholipid bilayer, which are 2 layers of phospholipids. A phospholipid is a phosphate group attached to a glycerol, which is attached to 2 fatty acid tails. At the biochemical level, fat is simply a long chain of carbons with hydrogens attached. To understand the organic structure, visualize a centipede. The body is the carbon chain and the hydrogens are the legs. For a carbon chain to be a fatty acid, oxygen and hydroxide (OH) usually bond to the end of the chain. The phospholipid bilayer is important in maintaining cell structure because cells are surrounded by water, and water is attracted to the phosphate groups, but want to stay away from the fatty acids (water and oil, or fat, do not mix!). Because of this interaction, the fatty acid tails face each other in the middle of a membrane layer while the phosphate groups are on the surfaces of the membrane.


What is a fluid mosaic model?

Simply put, the fluid mosaic model is a description of the membrane of a cell. The fluid part refers to the phospholipids of a cell membrane, which, like liquid, flow. The mosaic part refers to proteins embedded in the phospholipid bilayer that act as conduits through which molecules enter and exit the cell.____________The currently accepted model of cell membrane structure, which envisions the membrane as a mosaic of individually inserted protein molecules drifting laterally in a fluid bilayer of phospholipids.Fluid mosaic is a term used to describe the current model of the cell membrane.Cell membranes are basically double layers (bilayers) of molecules called phospholipids. 'Floating' in the phospholipid bilayer are molecules of protein. a mosaic is a structure made up of many different parts. Viewed from above the membrane would look something like a mosaic - a 'sea' of lipid with many 'islands' of protein.The lipid bilayer is not rigid, and the lipid and protein molecules are able to move sideways in the membrane i.e. the membrane is fluid.This model of the cell membrane was proposed by Singer and Nicolson in 1972, and has been supported by many experiments since then.model for cell membrane given by SJ singer and GL Nicholoson


How do you diffuse a ammonia bomb?

Simply choke the fuse up high and shake. The distillation will cause the ammonia to stabilize, diffusing the bomb.