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As the bilayer contains hydrophobic fatty acid tails, water-soluble molecules cannot diffuse directly through. However, lipid soluble molecules such as oxygen can diffuse directly through. Overall, for a molecule to be able to diffuse directly through it must be lipid-soluble, relatively small and non-polar.

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Can CO2 diffuse through the lipid bilayer?

Yes, carbon dioxide (CO2) can diffuse through the lipid bilayer of a cell membrane.


Which substances readily diffuse through the membrane?

Small and non-polar molecules can readily pass through the cell membrane. They follow the concentration gradient, moving from the higher concentration area to the region of lower concentration.


Is the lipid bilayer permeable to most water-soluble substances?

The lipid bilayer is impermeable to most water-soluble substances.The bilayer, most of which is a phospholipid bilayer, is permeable only to small, non-polar substances.In nature, the most common compounds to pass through the bilayer are carbon dioxide and oxygen.Scientists differ over how much water passes in and out of cells through the bilayer; some passes through special transport proteins called aquaporins.


What molecules that are soluble can pass through the fatty acid portion of the cell membrane unassisted?

Small, non-polar molecules like oxygen, carbon dioxide, and ethanol are soluble and can pass through the fatty acid portion of the cell membrane unassisted. These molecules can diffuse directly through the lipid bilayer due to their hydrophobic nature.


What is nitrous oxide gas molecules diffusing across a cell's plasma membrane?

Nitrous oxide gas molecules can diffuse across a cell's plasma membrane through simple diffusion, moving from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration without the need for a carrier protein. The small size and non-polarity of nitrous oxide allow it to pass directly through the lipid bilayer of the membrane.

Related Questions

Can CO2 diffuse through the lipid bilayer?

Yes, carbon dioxide (CO2) can diffuse through the lipid bilayer of a cell membrane.


Why water molecules cannot diffuse directly through the phosolipids bilayer?

Water molecules are polar, while the interior of the lipid bilayer is nonpolar. This mismatch in polarity makes it energetically unfavorable for water molecules to pass through the hydrophobic interior of the lipid bilayer. Instead, water molecules move across cell membranes through specialized channels called aquaporins.


What substance is most likely to passively diffuse across the plasma membrane by dissolving in the membrane?

Nonpolar molecules like lipid-soluble substances (e.g., steroid hormones, oxygen, and carbon dioxide) are most likely to passively diffuse across the plasma membrane by dissolving in the lipid bilayer. This type of diffusion does not require a specific transport protein and can occur directly through the phospholipid bilayer due to the molecules' hydrophobic nature.


Why gas particles diffuse more slowly through aluminum that through rubber?

Gas particles diffuse more slowly through aluminum than through rubber because aluminum has a higher density and more closely packed structure, which impedes the movement of gas particles. In contrast, rubber has a more porous and flexible structure that allows gas particles to move more freely and diffuse more quickly.


Would fat particles more likely be brought into a cell then oxygen particles?

No, fat particles are too large to diffuse easily through the cell membrane. Oxygen particles, being smaller, can diffuse freely into cells for cellular respiration.


Why do some particles diffuse quicker than others?

Particles diffuse at different rates due to differences in their size, shape, and mass. Smaller, lighter particles diffuse quicker than larger, heavier particles because they can move more easily through the medium in which they are diffusing. Additionally, the temperature and concentration gradient of the medium can also affect the diffusion rate of particles.


Which substances readily diffuse through the membrane?

Small and non-polar molecules can readily pass through the cell membrane. They follow the concentration gradient, moving from the higher concentration area to the region of lower concentration.


Why does gas particles diffuses quicker with rubber then aluminum?

Gas particles can diffuse quicker through rubber compared to aluminum because rubber is more porous and flexible, allowing gas particles to move more freely through its structure. In contrast, aluminum is a denser and less permeable material, making it harder for gas particles to diffuse through its surface.


Do lighter gas particles diffuse less rapidly than heavier gas particles?

No, lighter gas particles diffuse more rapidly than heavier gas particles because they have higher average speeds due to their lower masses. This means they can move more quickly through a medium, leading to faster diffusion rates.


What particles could diffuse easily through a cell membrane sodium and oxygen?

Oxygen (O2)


Is the lipid bilayer permeable to most water-soluble substances?

The lipid bilayer is impermeable to most water-soluble substances.The bilayer, most of which is a phospholipid bilayer, is permeable only to small, non-polar substances.In nature, the most common compounds to pass through the bilayer are carbon dioxide and oxygen.Scientists differ over how much water passes in and out of cells through the bilayer; some passes through special transport proteins called aquaporins.


What is the purpose of the proteins in the bilayer?

They can be used to carry things across the membrane. for example, glucose is too large to diffuse through, so a protein must be used to carry it.