Question

Which of the following statements is FALSE when describing the semipermeable nature of a cell's plasma membrane?

A. Channel proteins allow for facilitated diffusion of some molecules.
B. Non-polar molecules easily move through the phospholipid bilayer.
C. Polar molecules easily move through the hydrophobic tails of the phospholipid bilayer.
D. Polar molecules will not move through the hydrophobic tails of the phospholipid bilayer.

Answer 1

The statement that is FALSE when describing the semipermeable nature of a cell's plasma membrane is that polar molecules easily move through the hydrophobic tails of the phospholipid bilayer.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement that is FALSE when describing the semipermeable nature of a cell's plasma membrane is: C. Polar molecules easily move through the hydrophobic tails of the phospholipid bilayer.

The semipermeable nature of the cell's plasma membrane means that some substances can pass through while others cannot. Small nonpolar molecules can easily diffuse across the membrane, while polar molecules and ions cannot. Polar molecules like water need transport proteins to facilitate their movement across the membrane.

For example, channel proteins allow for facilitated diffusion of some molecules (statement A is true). Non-polar molecules easily move through the phospholipid bilayer (statement B is true). However, polar molecules will not move through the hydrophobic tails of the phospholipid bilayer (statement D is true). Therefore, the false statement is C.