Knowee
Questions
Features
Study Tools

What molecule would be unable to diffuse through a cell membrane?Multiple choice question.glycogenoxygenfatty acidscarbon dioxide

Question

What molecule would be unable to diffuse through a cell membrane?Multiple choice question.glycogenoxygenfatty acidscarbon dioxide

🧐 Not the exact question you are looking for?Go ask a question

Solution

The molecule that would be unable to diffuse through a cell membrane is glycogen.

Here's why:

  1. The cell membrane, also known as the plasma membrane, is selectively permeable. This means it allows certain substances to pass through while blocking others.

  2. Small, nonpolar molecules like oxygen and carbon dioxide can easily pass through the cell membrane. They do this by simple diffusion, moving from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration.

  3. Fatty acids, being nonpolar and small, can also pass through the cell membrane.

  4. However, glycogen is a large, polar molecule. It's a complex carbohydrate that the body uses for energy storage. Due to its size and polarity, it cannot easily pass through the lipid bilayer of the cell membrane. Therefore, it would be unable to diffuse through a cell membrane.

This problem has been solved

Similar Questions

The cell membrane is ______ permeable.Multiple choice question.freelynot veryselectivelynon-

By which mechanism do compounds like oxygen, carbon dioxide, and fatty acids move through a cell membrane?Multiple choice question.diffusionhydrostatic pressureactive transportfiltration

Which molecule can directly pass through the phospholipid bilayer of the cell membrane? Multiple ChoiceSodiumGlucosePotassiumCarbon dioxideCalcium

Which of these molecules is correctly matched with its method of movement through the cell membrane?Multiple ChoiceGlucose and amino acid molecules — pass through membrane channels.Large, water-soluble molecules — transported by carrier-mediated processes.All of the choices are correctly paired.Lipid-soluble molecules — pass through membrane channels.Small, water-soluble molecules (ions) — dissolve in double phospholipid layer.

Which of the following molecules are present in a cell membrane?Select all that apply.  lipids (fats)   carbohydrates   protein   hydrocarbons

1/3

Upgrade your grade with Knowee

Get personalized homework help. Review tough concepts in more detail, or go deeper into your topic by exploring other relevant questions.