Table of Contents
- 1 Will all molecules diffuse through selectively permeable membrane?
- 2 What does a selectively permeable membrane allow to pass through?
- 3 Does a selectively permeable membrane affect diffusion?
- 4 Are solutes transported by simple diffusion permeable or impermeable to the plasma membrane?
- 5 What is the function of a cell’s selectively permeable membrane?
- 6 Why do cell membranes need to be selectively permeable?
- 7 Is osmotic pressure generated if solutes diffuse freely?
- 8 How are large solutes transported across a cell membrane?
- 9 Is the solute able to pass through the selectively permeable membrane?
- 10 Why does water move through a semipermeable membrane?
- 11 Why does water diffuse down the concentration gradient?
Will all molecules diffuse through selectively permeable membrane?
The membrane is selectively permeable because substances do not cross it indiscriminately. Some molecules, such as hydrocarbons and oxygen can cross the membrane.
What does a selectively permeable membrane allow to pass through?
Selectively permeable means a membrane allows the passage of some molecules or ions and inhibits the passage of others. The capacity to filter molecular transport in this manner is called selective permeability.
What can easily diffuse across a selectively permeable membrane?
Examples of molecules that can easily diffuse across the plasma membrane include carbon dioxide and oxygen gas. These molecules diffuse freely in and out of the cell, along their concentration gradient. Though water is a polar molecule, it can also diffuse through the plasma membrane.
Does a selectively permeable membrane affect diffusion?
Semipermeable membranes, also termed selectively permeable membranes or partially permeable membranes, allow certain molecules or ions to pass through by diffusion. The semipermeable membrane limits the diffusion of solutes in the water.
Are solutes transported by simple diffusion permeable or impermeable to the plasma membrane?
You might think that solutes will flow into our out of the cell until the solute concentrations are equal across the membrane. However, not all molecules can pass through the cell membrane. The plasma membrane (lipid bilayer) is significantly less permeable to most solutes than it is to water.
What direction do solutes move during diffusion?
Since diffusion moves materials from an area of higher concentration to the lower, it is described as moving solutes “down the concentration gradient”. The end result is an equal concentration, or equilibrium, of molecules on both sides of the membrane.
What is the function of a cell’s selectively permeable membrane?
A selectively permeable cell membrane is one that allows certain molecules or ions to pass through it by means of active or passive transport. Active transport processes require the cell to expend energy to move the materials, while passive transport can be done without using cellular energy.
Why do cell membranes need to be selectively permeable?
Cell membranes are also called selectively permeable membranes, because they are selective in allowing entry of particles into the cell. This property of selective permeability is important because it ensures the survival of the cell.
Which two substances are most likely to cross a cell’s phospholipid bilayer by simple diffusion?
The structure of the lipid bilayer allows small, uncharged substances such as oxygen and carbon dioxide, and hydrophobic molecules such as lipids, to pass through the cell membrane, down their concentration gradient, by simple diffusion.
Is osmotic pressure generated if solutes diffuse freely?
No, if solutes diffuse, no osmotic pressure is generated.
How are large solutes transported across a cell membrane?
Endocytosis takes particles into the cell that are too large to passively cross the cell membrane. Phagocytosis is the taking in of large food particles, while pinocytosis takes in liquid particles. Receptor-mediated endocytosis uses special receptor proteins to help carry large particles across the cell membrane.
Are the solutes moving with or against their concentration gradient in facilitated diffusion?
In facilitated diffusion, substances move into or out of cells down their concentration gradient through protein channels in the cell membrane. Simple diffusion and facilitated diffusion are similar in that both involve movement down the concentration gradient.
Is the solute able to pass through the selectively permeable membrane?
In this system, the solute cannot pass through the selectively permeable membrane. A principle of diffusion is that the molecules move around and will spread evenly throughout the medium if they can. However, only the material capable of getting through the membrane will diffuse through it.
Why does water move through a semipermeable membrane?
Water moves through a semipermeable membrane in osmosis because there is a concentration gradient across the membrane of solute and solvent. The solute cannot effectively move to balance the concentration on both sides of the membrane, so water moves to achieve this balance.
What is the difference between osmosis and diffusion?
Osmosis is the diffusion of water through a semipermeable membrane according to the concentration gradient of water across the membrane. Whereas diffusion transports material across membranes and within cells, osmosis transports only water across a membrane and the membrane limits the diffusion of solutes in the water.
Why does water diffuse down the concentration gradient?
In this example, the solute cannot diffuse through the membrane, but the water can. Water has a concentration gradient in this system. Therefore, water will diffuse down its concentration gradient, crossing the membrane to the side where it is less concentrated.