Final answer:
The correct order from highest membrane permeability to lowest is: Oxygen, Water, Sodium ions. Oxygen has the highest permeability due to simple diffusion. Sodium ions have the lowest due to their need for facilitated diffusion across the membrane.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question pertains to the membrane permeability of different solutes, particularly oxygen, water, and sodium ions. When considering the permeability of the plasma membrane to these molecules, it's important to remember that small nonpolar molecules like oxygen pass through easily via simple diffusion. Since oxygen molecules have no charge, they are the most permeable compared to ions and polar molecules.
Water molecules, although polar, can readily pass through cell membranes due to the presence of specialized channels known as aquaporins, which facilitate the process of osmosis. Hence, water has a moderate level of permeability through the membrane.
In contrast, sodium ions are charged and cannot easily cross the nonpolar lipid bilayer of the membrane without the assistance of membrane proteins that form sodium channels. Therefore, sodium ions have the lowest membrane permeability among the three mentioned solutes.
Taking this into account, the correct order from highest membrane permeability to lowest is:
- Oxygen
- Water
- Sodium ions