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What types of molecules may not need transport proteins to be able to cross cytoplasmic membranes?

1 Answer

3 votes

The correct answer is small hydrophobic molecules.

The smaller the molecule and the more hydrophobic, or nonpolar, it is, the more rapidly it will diffuse across a membrane. It is because of the composition of membrane (lipid bilayer). By contrast, membrane is highly impermeable to charged molecules (ions), no matter how small they are.


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