7.4k views
5 votes
What molecules have a small chance of getting through a lipid bilayer, but most likely won't? Examples?

User Leolobato
by
7.9k points

1 Answer

3 votes

Final answer:

Large polar or ionic molecules that are hydrophilic have a small chance of getting through a lipid bilayer via simple diffusion. Examples of these molecules are glucose, amino acids, and electrolytes.

Step-by-step explanation:

Molecules that have a small chance of getting through a lipid bilayer, but most likely won't, are large polar or ionic molecules that are hydrophilic. Examples of such molecules are glucose, amino acids, and electrolytes.

These molecules cannot easily cross the cell membrane via simple diffusion because the charges are repelled by the hydrophobic tails in the lipid bilayer. Instead, their movement is restricted to protein channels and specialized transport mechanisms in the membrane.

User Alexander Abakumov
by
8.5k points