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Small, nonpolar molecules like oxygen and carbon dioxide can easily pass through the cell membrane due to their ability to diffuse through the lipid bilayer. Water can also pass, albeit more slowly, through specialized channels called aquaporins. In contrast, larger polar molecules and ions, such as glucose and sodium, cannot easily cross the membrane without assistance from transport proteins or channels. Therefore, the cell membrane selectively regulates what enters and exits the cell, maintaining homeostasis.

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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.


What can go in and out of the cell most easily?

Small nonpolar molecules, such as oxygen and carbon dioxide, can easily pass in and out of the cell through the lipid bilayer of the cell membrane. Water, although polar, can also move across the membrane relatively easily via specialized channels called aquaporins. Larger or charged molecules typically require specific transport proteins to facilitate their movement across the membrane.


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

Oxygen can diffuse across a cell membrane because it is a small, non-polar molecule that can easily pass through the lipid bilayer of the membrane. In contrast, proteins are large and often polar or charged, making it difficult for them to traverse the hydrophobic core of the lipid bilayer without assistance. Proteins typically require specific transport mechanisms, such as channels or carriers, to facilitate their movement across the membrane.


What molecules will move easily across the cell membrane: large proteins, starch, water, or DNA?

Water is the molecule that will move easily across the cell membrane. It can cross the membrane through special channels called aquaporins. Large proteins, starch, and DNA are too large to pass through the membrane without assistance.


Why can oxygen diffuse across the cell membrane but protein cannot?

Oxygen can diffuse across the cell membrane due to its small size and nonpolar nature, allowing it to easily pass through the lipid bilayer without the need for transport proteins. In contrast, proteins are larger and often polar or charged, making it difficult for them to traverse the hydrophobic core of the membrane. Consequently, proteins typically require specific transport mechanisms, such as channels or carriers, to facilitate their movement across the membrane.

Related Questions

How do large cells move across the cell membrane?

There cannot be large cells inside a cell.


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.


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

Carbon dioxide, oxygen and some nonpolar molecules diffuse easily.


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

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


What can go in and out of the cell most easily?

Small nonpolar molecules, such as oxygen and carbon dioxide, can easily pass in and out of the cell through the lipid bilayer of the cell membrane. Water, although polar, can also move across the membrane relatively easily via specialized channels called aquaporins. Larger or charged molecules typically require specific transport proteins to facilitate their movement across the membrane.


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

Oxygen can diffuse across a cell membrane because it is a small, non-polar molecule that can easily pass through the lipid bilayer of the membrane. In contrast, proteins are large and often polar or charged, making it difficult for them to traverse the hydrophobic core of the lipid bilayer without assistance. Proteins typically require specific transport mechanisms, such as channels or carriers, to facilitate their movement across the membrane.


What molecules will move easily across the cell membrane: large proteins, starch, water, or DNA?

Water is the molecule that will move easily across the cell membrane. It can cross the membrane through special channels called aquaporins. Large proteins, starch, and DNA are too large to pass through the membrane without assistance.


Why can oxygen diffuse across the cell membrane but protein cannot?

Oxygen can diffuse across the cell membrane due to its small size and nonpolar nature, allowing it to easily pass through the lipid bilayer without the need for transport proteins. In contrast, proteins are larger and often polar or charged, making it difficult for them to traverse the hydrophobic core of the membrane. Consequently, proteins typically require specific transport mechanisms, such as channels or carriers, to facilitate their movement across the membrane.


What can oxygen diffuse across a cell membrane but protein cannot?

Oxygen can diffuse across a cell membrane because it is a small, nonpolar molecule that can pass through the lipid bilayer easily without the need for transport proteins. In contrast, proteins are larger and typically polar or charged, making it difficult for them to traverse the hydrophobic core of the membrane. As a result, proteins usually require specific transport mechanisms, such as channels or carriers, to cross the membrane.


Do large cells move across the cell membrane quickly?

A large cell will never move across an intact cell membrane.


Can oxygen diffuse across a cell membrane?

No, oxygen cannot directly diffuse across a cell membrane. Instead, it crosses the cell membrane with the help of specific transport proteins, such as aquaporins and oxygen channels. These proteins facilitate the movement of oxygen from areas of high concentration to low concentration.


Why do molecules easily diffuse across a cell membrane while glucose molecules do not?

Glucose is too big to pass throught.