5. Which of the following functions correctly depicts why plasma membranes are arranged as bilayers rather than monolayers?*1 pointA. To make the cell sturdier and protected from the extracellular environmentB. To attract water using the hydrophilic headsC. To prevent water from escaping the cellD. To ensure cell fluidity and maintain membrane permeability
Question
- Which of the following functions correctly depicts why plasma membranes are arranged as bilayers rather than monolayers?*1 pointA. To make the cell sturdier and protected from the extracellular environmentB. To attract water using the hydrophilic headsC. To prevent water from escaping the cellD. To ensure cell fluidity and maintain membrane permeability
Solution
The correct answer is D. To ensure cell fluidity and maintain membrane permeability.
Here's why:
The plasma membrane is composed of a phospholipid bilayer. Each phospholipid molecule has a hydrophilic (water-loving) head and two hydrophobic (water-fearing) tails. In the bilayer arrangement, the hydrophilic heads face outwards towards the water environment, while the hydrophobic tails face inwards, away from the water. This arrangement is crucial for the function of the plasma membrane.
A. While the bilayer does provide some protection, it's not the primary reason for its arrangement. The cell has other mechanisms for protection, like the cell wall in plant cells.
B. The hydrophilic heads do attract water, but again, this is not the primary reason for the bilayer arrangement. The hydrophilic heads face the water environment whether it's a monolayer or a bilayer.
C. Preventing water from escaping the cell is not the primary function of the plasma membrane. The membrane is selectively permeable and allows water to move in and out of the cell through osmosis.
D. The bilayer arrangement ensures cell fluidity and maintains membrane permeability. The hydrophobic tails in the middle of the bilayer create a barrier that selectively allows certain molecules to pass through, while preventing others. This is crucial for the cell to control what enters and exits the cell, maintaining homeostasis.
Similar Questions
Which of the following statements describes the function of plasma membranes? I. define boundaries of the cell and its organelles and act as permeability barriers II. contains pigments that captures light energy. III. possess transport proteins that regulate the movement of substances into and out of the cell. IV. allows the entry and exit of cell organelles. V. provide mechanisms for cell-to-cell contact, adhesion, and communicationI, III, IV, VI, II, III, IVI and IIII, III, V
31. Which of the following mechanisms best describes the semi-permeability of cell membrane?*1 pointA. The phospholipid bilayer restricts the movement of solid molecules and only allows water to pass through.B. The cell membrane allows water-insoluble molecules to pass freely but severely restricts the passage of water-soluble molecules.C. The cell membrane allows water-soluble molecules to pass but restricts the flow of lipids.D. Smaller hydrophobic molecules require assistance to pass through the cell membrane.32. Which of the following functions correctly describes the composition of a cell membrane in relation to its function?1 pointA. Glycoproteins help to give the cell support and shape.B. Cholesterol helps cells communicate with their external environment through hormones, neurotransmitters, and other signaling molecules.C. Transport proteins help in cell-to-cell communications and molecule transport across the membrane.D. Glycolipids help the cell to recognize other cells of the body.33. Osmosis is the passage of water from a region of high water concentration through a semipermeable membrane to a region of low water concentration. Which of the following physiological events is observed in the human body showing the process of osmosis?*1 pointA. Blood cells bursting in an isotonic solutionB. Blood cells swelling in a hypertonic solutionC. Blood cell shrinking in a hypotonic solutionD. Blood cells bloating up in a hypotonic solution34. Membrane proteins involved in active transport are often called "pumps." What inference can you make based on the statement?1 pointA. They use energy to move a substance along its concentration gradient.B. They use energy to move a substance against its concentration gradient.C. They use energy to bind a substance to the carrier for transport.D. They use energy to dislodge a substance from the carrier after transport.35. If a cell lacks glucose to be utilized in energy production, which of the following membrane proteins would most likely be a problem? *1 pointA. carrierB. channelC. receptorD. cell-recognition36. Which of the following active transport processes occurs when a virus or a bacteria is engulfed and eliminated by white blood cells?*1 pointA. ExocytosisB. EndocytosisC. Vesicle TransportD. None of the above37. How would you classify a biomolecule found to be a non-polar molecule with three long fatty acid chains esterified to glycerol?*1 pointA. It is a steroid protein.B. It is a cholesterol lipid.C. It is an unsaturated fatty acid.D. It is a triglyceride.38. During an immune response to infection, B lymphocytes produce specific antibodies that can bind to and neutralize pathogens. Which of the following biological molecule is the main component of an antibody and allows it to recognize and target specific antigens?*1 pointA. Nucleic acid – stores genetic information for antibody productionB. Carbohydrate – binds to protein to recognize pathogenic cellsC. Protein – detects harmful substances and binds to specific antigensD. Enzyme – produced by a living organism which acts as a catalyst and breaks down molecules39. Which of the following statements correctly describes the relationship between the structure and function among the classifications of carbohydrates?*1 pointA. Monosaccharides: the simplest form of carbohydrates; structural material for the cellB. Disaccharides: formed from two monosaccharides linked by glycosidic bonds; energy sourceC. Polysaccharides: long chain of complex sugars; storage form of carbohydratesD. Polysaccharides: long chain of disaccharides; structural material for the cell40. Which of the following statements will most likely happen if the biomolecule protein is missing in the maintenance and metabolic processes of living organisms?*1 pointA. There will be no myosin and no contraction of muscles that will help metabolic processes.B. There will be reduced hormones and proper communication between cells, tissues, and organs.C. Regulation of food intake and glucose and lipid metabolism occur.D. Structural support, growth, and repair will still happen.
nonpolar, hydrophobic part of the membrane and are in the center of the bilayer
Multiple Choice QuestionThe functions of ______ include transport of nutrients and gases, and regulation of pH.Multiple choice question.plasmawhite blood cellsplasma proteinsred blood cells
Evaluate the following statements about the functional structure of cell membranes. A. All body cells have an unequal distribution of charged ions on the inside and outside of the membranes TRUE/FALSE B. Molecules that are small enough and soluble in lipids can easily diffuse across the cell membrane TRUE/FALSE C. Immune cells take up bacteria and cellular debris directly into the cytoplasm using membrane 'pseudopodia' in order to destroy them TRUE/FALSE D. When channels for a particular ion are opened the ion is able only to go in or out of the cell membrane in the direction of the chemical concentration gradient TRUE/FALSE E. The resting membrane potential can be determined by using the Nernst equation for Ca2+ distribution TRUE/FALSE
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