Question

What kinds of molecules pass through a cell membrane most easily? What properties of the molecules and the membrane allow this to happen?

Answer 1

Water diffusion is called osmosis. Oxygen is a small molecule and it's nonpolar, so it easily passes through a cell membrane. Carbon dioxide, the byproduct of cell respiration, is small enough to readily diffuse out of a cell. Small uncharged lipid molecules can pass through the lipid innards of the membrane.

Answer 2

Answer:

CO₂, O₂

Explanation:

• The cell membrane also known as the plasma membrane or semi-permeable membrane is composed of the lipid bilayer.
• Each component consists of a hydrophilic head which is made up of phosphorus, is polar and a hydrophobic tail.
• Only lipid-soluble non-polar molecules can pass easily through the cell membrane.
• Smaller molecules like CO₂ and O₂ can pass through the cell membrane easily by simple diffusion. All it requires is a concentration gradient.
• The cell membrane acts as a barrier and allows only certain substance s to pass through it easily.
• Other large and charger molecules and ios such as sodium and potassium ion passes through cell membrane through their respective channels.
• Also there are aquaporins channel present.