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The plasma membrane separates the intracellular and extracellular fluid compartments.

True.
False.

1 Answer

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Final answer:

The statement that the plasma membrane separates intracellular and extracellular fluid compartments is true; it acts as a selectively permeable barrier. Plasma proteins typically do not move across the capillary membrane by facilitated diffusion due to their large size.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement that the plasma membrane separates the intracellular fluid compartment and the extracellular fluid compartment is true. The plasma membrane is a selectively permeable barrier that defines the boundary of a cell, maintaining different environments and concentrations of molecules on each side.

Additionally, it provides a framework for biochemical activities and is involved in a variety of cellular processes, including transport of substances and cellular recognition. In terms of the question regarding plasma proteins and their movement across the capillary cell membrane, the statement is generally false.

Plasma proteins are generally too large to pass through capillary walls by facilitated diffusion. Instead, they may cross the capillary wall through specialized mechanisms, such as transcytosis, or remain in the bloodstream to maintain oncotic pressure.

Facilitated diffusion is used by smaller molecules that cannot diffuse passively due to their polarity or charge, whereby carrier proteins assist in their transport across the membrane without the expenditure of energy.

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