In: Biology
A cell is LEAST likely to require a transport protein to move which of the following molecules across its membrane?:
(A) Sucrose
(B) Hydrogen ions
(C) Carbon dioxide
(D) Chloride ions
HI Answer:
Q. A cell is LEAST likely to require a transport protein to move which of the following molecules across its membrane? (A) Sucrose (B) Hydrogen ion (C) Carbon dioxide (D) Chloride ions.
Answer: Option C. Carbon dioxide
Explanation: The movement of molecules across the cell membrane took place by following processes: diffusion, osmosis, facilitated diffusion or active transport (with the help of transporter proteins), and endo or exo-cytosis. Out of given options only the carbon dioxide is able to move across the membrane i.e. moving out from the cell by diffusion due to its own concentration gradient and didn’t need any transport proteins. Whereas, in case of sucrose it is too much large to pass through by a simple diffusion it need facilitated diffusion i.e. with the help of transport proteins. In case of Hydrogen and chloride ions they are charged ions (although Hydrogen ion is the smallest ion) is unable to pass the cell membrane because uncharged molecules repel charged molecules (cell membrane bilayer feature). These both ions need the help of transport proteins to across the cell membrane.