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As the molecular weight of a molecule increases, its

A) membrane permeability decreases.

B) ability to form a charge decreases.

C) rate of diffusion will also increase.

D) concentration in a solution decreases.

E)ability to dissolve in lipid will also increase

1 Answer

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Final answer:

The correct answer is E) the ability to dissolve in lipid will also increase. As molecular weight increases, molecules tend to move more slowly, affecting their rate of diffusion in a medium, which is also influenced by the medium's temperature and density.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question asks about the relationship between molecular weight and certain properties like membrane permeability, charge formation, diffusion rate, concentration in solution, and lipid solubility. It is essential to understand that molecular movement and the rate of diffusion are influenced by a molecule's mass, temperature, and the density of the medium through which it is moving.

Larger molecules tend to move slower than lighter molecules due to their increased mass. This implies that as the molecular weight of a molecule increases, it would generally see a decrease in its rate of diffusion. Factors like temperature can increase both the energy and movement of molecules, thus increasing diffusion rates, but the inherent weight of the molecules does affect their base rate of movement.

Moreover, the density of the medium also impacts diffusion. In a less dense medium, there is more space between molecules, allowing for greater freedom of movement and a higher diffusion rate. Conversely, in a denser medium, movement is more restricted, slowing diffusion. Additionally, an implication consistent with lipid solubility is that molecules with greater molecular weight often are more lipophilic or fat-soluble, increasing their ability to dissolve in lipids.

Therefore, the correct answer to the student's question is E) the ability to dissolve in lipid will also increase as the molecular weight of a molecule increases.

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