Intracellular
A ligand that cannot cross the cell membrane can send a message to a cell by binding to a cell surface receptor. These receptors, typically located on the extracellular portion of the cell membrane, undergo a conformational change upon ligand binding, triggering a cascade of intracellular signaling pathways. This process allows the cell to respond to external signals despite the ligand's inability to penetrate the membrane. Examples of such ligands include peptide hormones and neurotransmitters.
Nitric oxide can diffuse freely across the plasma membrane due to its small size and lipophilic nature. It does not require a specific transporter or receptor for entry into cells.
ATP, being a large hydrophilic molecule, cannot freely cross the inner membrane of mitochondria. It requires specific transporters, such as the adenine nucleotide translocase, for its entry into the mitochondrial matrix.
Hydrophobic molecules can easily cross the plasma membrane because they are nonpolar and can dissolve in the lipid bilayer, allowing them to pass through without assistance. In contrast, hydrophilic molecules are polar and cannot easily penetrate the hydrophobic core of the membrane, which acts as a barrier to their passage. As a result, hydrophilic substances often require specific transport proteins or channels to help them cross the membrane.
Intracellular
A ligand that cannot cross the cell membrane can send a message to a cell by binding to a cell surface receptor. These receptors, typically located on the extracellular portion of the cell membrane, undergo a conformational change upon ligand binding, triggering a cascade of intracellular signaling pathways. This process allows the cell to respond to external signals despite the ligand's inability to penetrate the membrane. Examples of such ligands include peptide hormones and neurotransmitters.
Some hormones are unable to cross the cell membrane due to their size or chemical properties, so they must bind to a membrane receptor on the cell's surface to propagate their signal into the cell. This binding triggers a cascade of intracellular events that ultimately lead to the cell's response to the hormone.
Receptors detect a signal molecule and perform an action in response.
Nitric oxide can diffuse freely across the plasma membrane due to its small size and lipophilic nature. It does not require a specific transporter or receptor for entry into cells.
ATP, being a large hydrophilic molecule, cannot freely cross the inner membrane of mitochondria. It requires specific transporters, such as the adenine nucleotide translocase, for its entry into the mitochondrial matrix.
Hydrophobic molecules can easily cross the plasma membrane because they are nonpolar and can dissolve in the lipid bilayer, allowing them to pass through without assistance. In contrast, hydrophilic molecules are polar and cannot easily penetrate the hydrophobic core of the membrane, which acts as a barrier to their passage. As a result, hydrophilic substances often require specific transport proteins or channels to help them cross the membrane.
Oxygen is a small, nonpolar molecule that can cross the plasma membrane via simple diffusion. Sodium ions, on the other hand, are charged and larger molecules that cannot easily pass through the hydrophobic interior of the plasma membrane. Sodium must rely on specific transport proteins like ion channels or pumps to cross the membrane.
Ions can cross the neuron cell membrane through ion channels that open and close in response to various stimuli, allowing for the movement of ions in and out of the cell. This movement is essential for action potentials and communication between neurons.
means that the cell membrane has some control over what can cross it, so that only certain molecules either enter or leave the cell
No, egg albumin is a large protein molecule that cannot pass through the plasma membrane on its own. It would require specific transport mechanisms, such as endocytosis or facilitated diffusion, to cross the membrane.
Certain substances, such as small molecules and ions, are able to cross the cell membrane. The ability of a substance to cross the membrane is determined by its size, charge, and solubility in the lipid bilayer of the membrane.