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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.

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Explain how hydrophobic molecules cross cell membranes?

cell membranes are made of a lipid bilayer, molecules with hydrophilic heads and hydrophobic tails. These molecules arrange in parallel lines with the tails facing inwards towards each other and the heads facing outwards towards the water. Hydrophobic molecules are drawn into the lipid bilayer, trying to get away from the water.


Can two hydrophobic molecules in a cell membrane will form a hydrogen bond?

No, two hydrophobic molecules in a cell membrane cannot form a hydrogen bond. Hydrogen bonds typically occur between polar molecules that have a difference in electronegativity, allowing for attraction between hydrogen and electronegative atoms like oxygen or nitrogen. Since hydrophobic molecules lack polar functional groups, they do not have the necessary properties to engage in hydrogen bonding. Instead, they tend to aggregate to minimize exposure to water, driven by hydrophobic interactions.


The reason that water soluble molecules cannot enter certain regions of the plasma membrane is due to the presence of?

hydrophobic tails of phospholipids in the plasma membrane, which create a barrier that repels water-soluble molecules. This limits the passive permeability of water-soluble molecules through the membrane.


What types of molecules have difficulty crossing the plasma membrane?

Large molecules like proteins and nucleic acids have difficulty crossing the plasma membrane due to their size. Charged molecules or ions also face barriers crossing the membrane because of the hydrophobic nature of the lipid bilayer. Additionally, molecules that are not lipid-soluble may have difficulty passing through the membrane.


What Particular molecules or ions freely cross the plasma membrane with assistance?

large polar molecules cannot pass through the membrane. only nonpolar and small polar molecules can pass through, and they only go from high to low concentration or else they need assistance from active transport.

Related Questions

Explain how hydrophobic molecules cross cell membranes?

cell membranes are made of a lipid bilayer, molecules with hydrophilic heads and hydrophobic tails. These molecules arrange in parallel lines with the tails facing inwards towards each other and the heads facing outwards towards the water. Hydrophobic molecules are drawn into the lipid bilayer, trying to get away from the water.


Why can't charged molecules pass through the membrane?

Charged molecules cannot pass through the membrane because the membrane is selectively permeable, meaning it only allows certain substances to pass through based on their size and charge. The charged molecules are repelled by the hydrophobic interior of the membrane, which prevents them from crossing.


Can two hydrophobic molecules in a cell membrane will form a hydrogen bond?

No, two hydrophobic molecules in a cell membrane cannot form a hydrogen bond. Hydrogen bonds typically occur between polar molecules that have a difference in electronegativity, allowing for attraction between hydrogen and electronegative atoms like oxygen or nitrogen. Since hydrophobic molecules lack polar functional groups, they do not have the necessary properties to engage in hydrogen bonding. Instead, they tend to aggregate to minimize exposure to water, driven by hydrophobic interactions.


Why cant polar molecules and ions diffuse across the cell membrane?

Ions cannot diffuse through a phospholipid bilayer because they are not able to dissolve in lipids, hence the phosphoLIPID bilayer . Also, since they have an electrical charge, they are repelled by the membrane.


The reason that water soluble molecules cannot enter certain regions of the plasma membrane is due to the presence of?

hydrophobic tails of phospholipids in the plasma membrane, which create a barrier that repels water-soluble molecules. This limits the passive permeability of water-soluble molecules through the membrane.


Are polar molecules hydrophillic?

No, non-polar molecules are hydrophobic because they cannot form hydrogen bonds. A good example of this would be a cell membrane. The fatty acids in the lipid bilayer are non-polar and hydrophobic, while the polar ends that face the outside and inside of the cell are hydrophilic.


What are the three molecules that cannot easily pass through the membrane?

The three molecules that cannot easily pass through the membrane are large molecules, charged molecules, and polar molecules.


Which molecules cannot pass through the membrane?

Large molecules such as proteins and nucleic acids cannot pass through the cell membrane.


What types of molecules have difficulty crossing the plasma membrane?

Large molecules like proteins and nucleic acids have difficulty crossing the plasma membrane due to their size. Charged molecules or ions also face barriers crossing the membrane because of the hydrophobic nature of the lipid bilayer. Additionally, molecules that are not lipid-soluble may have difficulty passing through the membrane.


What Particular molecules or ions freely cross the plasma membrane with assistance?

large polar molecules cannot pass through the membrane. only nonpolar and small polar molecules can pass through, and they only go from high to low concentration or else they need assistance from active transport.


What gives water the ability to cross the hydrophobic region of a cell membrane when other small polar molecules and ions cannot?

Water is able to cross the hydrophobic region of a cell membrane through specialized protein channels called aquaporins. These channels facilitate the movement of water molecules while preventing the passage of other small polar molecules and ions. Aquaporins selectively allow water to pass through the membrane, maintaining cell homeostasis by regulating water balance.


How easy or hard is it for polar molecules to pass through the cell membrane?

Polar molecules are effectively charged molecules. It's hard for them to cross the cell membrane because the membrane is comprised of an uncharged phospholipid bilayer. Charged molecules tend to have specific protein channels that allow them to cross the membrane.