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Oxygen molecules diffuse through membranes primarily via passive diffusion, which occurs due to their small size and nonpolar nature. This process involves the movement of oxygen from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration across the lipid bilayer of the membrane. The lipid bilayer is permeable to oxygen, allowing it to pass through without the need for energy or specific transport proteins. This diffusion is essential for cellular respiration, enabling cells to take in oxygen for metabolic processes.

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What statement explains why oxygen molecules easily diffuse across a cell membrane well glucose molecules do not?

Oxygen molecules are small and nonpolar, allowing them to easily diffuse through the lipid bilayer of the cell membrane without the need for transport proteins. In contrast, glucose is a larger, polar molecule that cannot passively diffuse through the membrane; it requires specific transport proteins to facilitate its movement into the cell. This difference in size and polarity accounts for the varying ease of diffusion for these two substances.


What type of molecules can permeate the plasma membrane?

Any molecule smaller than the holes in the membrane can pass through is the membrane is permeable. If the membrane is semi-permeable, then only molecules that the membrane selects can pass through. Electronegativity and existence of lipid layers are common selective traits for semi-permeable membranes.


What type of compound would easily diffuse into the cell?

Small, nonpolar molecules such as oxygen and carbon dioxide can easily diffuse into the cell membrane due to their ability to pass through the lipid bilayer. Hydrophobic compounds also diffuse across the membrane more readily than hydrophilic compounds.


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.


What goes through the cell membrane?

Small non-polar molecules like oxygen and carbon dioxide, as well as small uncharged polar molecules like water, can diffuse through the cell membrane. Larger polar molecules and ions typically require protein channels or transporters to pass through the cell membrane.

Related Questions

What substance will diffuse through a membrane?

Substances that are small, nonpolar, and uncharged will diffuse through a membrane easily. This includes gases like oxygen and carbon dioxide, as well as small lipophilic molecules. Larger or charged molecules may require assistance from transport proteins to cross the membrane.


How do you use diffuse in sentence?

Oxygen molecules diffuse across the membrane.


What explains why oxygen molecules diffuse across a cell membrane while glucose molecules do not?

Glucose is too big to pass through.


Does oxygen diffuse through a semipermable membrane?

yes


Molecules that can diffuse across the membrane?

Small, nonpolar molecules like oxygen, carbon dioxide, and ethanol can easily diffuse across the cell membrane due to their ability to pass through the lipid bilayer. Water can also diffuse across the membrane, albeit at a slower rate, through specialized channels called aquaporins.


What types of molecules can diffuse through the cell membrane without using a channel protein?

Small, non-polar molecules like oxygen, carbon dioxide, and water can diffuse through the cell membrane without the need for a channel protein. Their small size and non-polar nature allow them to passively pass through the lipid bilayer of the membrane.


What part of the lung do oxygen molecules diffuse across into the bloodstream?

Oxygen molecules diffuse across the alveolar membrane in the lungs into the bloodstream. This is where gas exchange occurs, with oxygen moving from the alveoli into capillaries surrounding the alveoli.


What statement explains why oxygen molecules easily diffuse across a cell membrane well glucose molecules do not?

Oxygen molecules are small and nonpolar, allowing them to easily diffuse through the lipid bilayer of the cell membrane without the need for transport proteins. In contrast, glucose is a larger, polar molecule that cannot passively diffuse through the membrane; it requires specific transport proteins to facilitate its movement into the cell. This difference in size and polarity accounts for the varying ease of diffusion for these two substances.


What is an example of molecules that diffuses into a cell?

water


What type of molecules can permeate the plasma membrane?

Any molecule smaller than the holes in the membrane can pass through is the membrane is permeable. If the membrane is semi-permeable, then only molecules that the membrane selects can pass through. Electronegativity and existence of lipid layers are common selective traits for semi-permeable membranes.


What molecule is able to easily diffuse across the cell's membrane?

Carbon dioxide, oxygen and some nonpolar molecules diffuse easily.


What type of compound would easily diffuse into the cell?

Small, nonpolar molecules such as oxygen and carbon dioxide can easily diffuse into the cell membrane due to their ability to pass through the lipid bilayer. Hydrophobic compounds also diffuse across the membrane more readily than hydrophilic compounds.