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Oxygen is much smaller than a protein

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7y ago
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1mo ago

Oxygen is a small, non-polar molecule that can passively diffuse across the lipid bilayer of a cell membrane. Proteins, on the other hand, are larger and more complex molecules that cannot pass through the hydrophobic core of the membrane. Instead, proteins are transported into or out of cells through specific channels or transporters.

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Q: Why can oxygen diffuse across a cell membrane but a protein can't?
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Related questions

Why can oxygen diffuse across a cell membrane but a protein?

Its too large


Why can oxygen diffuse across a cells membrane but a protein cannot?

Proteins are to large or Oxygen is much smaller than a protein.


Why can oxygen diffuse across a cell membrane but a protein cannot-?

Proteins are to large or Oxygen is much smaller than a protein.


Can oxygen diffuse across a cell membrane?

No, oxygen cannot directly diffuse across a cell membrane. Instead, it crosses the cell membrane with the help of specific transport proteins, such as aquaporins and oxygen channels. These proteins facilitate the movement of oxygen from areas of high concentration to low concentration.


How do you use diffuse in sentence?

Oxygen molecules diffuse across the membrane.


Why do oxygen molecules easily diffuse across a cell membrane while protein molecules do not?

Oxygen molecules are small and non-polar, allowing them to easily pass through the phospholipid bilayer of the cell membrane via simple diffusion. In contrast, protein molecules are typically larger and may require specific transport proteins or channels in the membrane for facilitated diffusion or active transport to cross the membrane.


Why can oxygen diffuse across a cell membrane but a protein can?

Its too large


What part of the lung do oxygen molecules diffuse across into the bloodstream?

Oxygen molecules diffuse across the alveolar membrane in the lungs into the bloodstream. This is where gas exchange occurs, with oxygen moving from the alveoli into capillaries surrounding the alveoli.


What are 2 substances that diffuse freely across a cell membrane?

Oxygen and carbon dioxide are two substances that can freely diffuse across a cell membrane due to their small size and non-polar nature.


What two important gases diffuse across the respiratory membrane?

Oxygen and carbon dioxide are the two important gases that diffuse across the respiratory membrane. Oxygen moves from the alveoli into the bloodstream, while carbon dioxide moves from the bloodstream into the alveoli to be exhaled.


What molecule is able to easily diffuse across the cell's membrane?

Carbon dioxide, oxygen and some nonpolar molecules diffuse easily.


What causes oxygen to enter and carbon dioxide to leave the capillaries?

Oxygen and carbon dioxide get into and out of cells via diffusion. The gases diffuse across the thin capillary wall, and then diffuse across the cell membrane.