Question

An artificial membrane is created consisting of a lipid bilayer without protein molecules in the membrane. The lipid composition of the membrane is the same as that of a normal, biological membrane. Which of the following substances permeates the membrane more readily than water molecules?A. Carbon Dioxide.B. Glucose.C. Glycerol.D. Sodium.E. Urea.

Answer 1

C. Glycerol

Step-by-step explanation:

Lipid molecules are hydrophobic in nature. The term hydrophobic means the molecules tend to repel water and other similar molecules. Due to their hydrophobic nature they will allow only those substances to pass through the membrane easily which are similar in nature to the lipids.

Among the given options in the question, Glycerol is the only example which is of lipid nature. Thus it will permeate readily than water molecules. In Biology the term permeate is used for the movement of molecules through a membrane.