Answer:
The correct answer is option d. "Protein movement is limited by the presence of a diffusion barrier".
Step-by-step explanation:
There are transportation mechanisms that allow to take up nutrients to the apical surface of the epithelial cells. The transportation process is best describes as protein movement limited by the presence of a diffusion barrier. There are structures known as tight junctions, located just below the apical surface . These tight junctions acts as diffusion barriers, separating the extracellular fluids surrounding the apical and basolateral membranes.