Question

Which of these is NOT an evolutionary advantage of the first cell membranes?

1) Membranes allow cells to move independently.

2) Membranes allow for cells to be compartmentalize.

3) Membranes allow substances to be concentrated inside a cell, or pumped outside.

4) Membranes allow genotypes and the phenotypes they produce to stay linked.

5) All of the above are advantages of cell membranes.

Answer 1

The option that is not an evolutionary advantage of the first cell membranes is the independent movement of cells, which is not a direct function of the membrane.

Step-by-step explanation:

The option that is NOT an evolutionary advantage of the first cell membranes is 'Membranes allow cells to move independently.' While cell membranes provide numerous benefits, independent movement is not a direct function of the membrane itself but rather the consequence of other cellular components like the cytoskeleton and motility structures such as flagella.

Cell membranes are critically important for several vital functions that do have an evolutionary advantage: compartmentalization, allowing the concentration of substances within the cell, the pumping out of substances, and ensuring genotypes and phenotypes remain linked. Thanks to the selective permeability of cell membranes, they can control the internal environment by allowing certain molecules to pass through while blocking others, which is essential for maintaining cellular homeostasis.