Question

Why can't hydrophilic molecules cross the membrane? Hydrophilic molecules are ___________.

A. Repelled by water
B. Attracted to water
C. Nonpolar
D. Charged

Answer 1

Hydrophilic molecules cannot easily pass through the cell membrane because they are attracted to water. The hydrophobic interior of the phospholipid bilayer repels these molecules.

Step-by-step explanation:

Molecules that are hydrophilic, such as polar and charged molecules, cannot easily pass through the cell membrane because they are attracted to water. The plasma membrane is made up of a phospholipid bilayer, which has a hydrophobic interior. Hydrophilic molecules are repelled by the hydrophobic tails of the phospholipids and therefore cannot cross the membrane easily.