Question

Which of the following inhibits inorganic ions, such as Na+ and Cl-, from passing through a lipid bilayer? Choose one:

A. the watery environment on either side of the lipid bilayer
B. the hydrophobic interior of the lipid bilayer
C. the ions' large size
D. the carbohydrate layer on the surface of the lipid bilayer
E. the hydrophilic exterior of the lipid bilayer

Answer 1

The hydrophobic interior of the lipid bilayer is responsible for inhibiting the passage of inorganic ions such as Na+ and Cl- as it repels polar and charged particles.

Step-by-step explanation:

Inhibiting the passage of inorganic ions like Na+ and Cl- through a lipid bilayer is fundamentally due to the hydrophobic interior of the lipid bilayer. This hydrophobic core is nonpolar and repels polar substances, which include ions and water-soluble materials. Since ions are both charged and polar, they are not able to passively diffuse through the nonpolar lipid tails that make up the center of the bilayer. Instead, their transport across the cell membrane often requires the assistance of transport proteins or ion channels that can shield the ions from the hydrophobic interior as they move through.