A critical feature of the plasma membrane is that it is selectively permeable. this allows the plasma membrane to regulate transport across cellular boundaries--a function essential to any cell's existence. how does phospholipid structure prevent certain molecules from crossing the plasma membrane freely?

The structure of the plasma membrane makes it selectively permeable, enabling it to regulate the transport substance into and out of the cell, such as
- small, non polar molecules are hydrophobic
- Polar molecules and ions are hydrophilic
- Polar molecules and ion usually pass with the help of protein

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Sumitcs Sumitcs · Answer 2 · 2019-09-23T07:18:27+02:00

The factor which makes the permeability of the plasma membrane a main reason for the cells existence is that this condition makes the cell a to take in important required substances and throw out waste. Thus, the life of the cell is based the fact that the plasma membrane is selectively permeable.

Further Explanation:

Eukaryotic cells are the cells which have membrane-bound organelles, membrane-bound nucleus, and several chromosomes. They have a true nucleus and have some similarity with prokaryotic cells like plasma membrane, cytoplasm, and ribosomes.

Plasma membrane is selectively permeable as they allow only certain molecule to pass through them. This permeability is dependent on many factors one of them being the need of the molecule by the cell. The membrane of the cell is made up of following components;

1. Phospholipid bilayer

2. Transmembrane proteins

3. Interior protein network

4. Cell surface markers

Out of these components the one responsible for maintaining the movement of the chemicals or molecules across the membrane is the phospholipid bilayer and the transmembrane proteins. The major component which acts as an permeability barrier is the phospholipid bilayer.

Learn more:

1. Learn more about which structure is unique to eukaryotic cells https://brainly.com/question/4493579

2. Learn more about the purpose of transfer RNA https://brainly.com/question/236807

3. Learn more about translation https://brainly.com/question/273550

Answer Details:

Grade: High School

Subject: Biology

Chapter: Cell biology

Keywords:

Eukaryotic cell, DNA, cell membrane, ribosomes, nucleus, plasma membrane, cytoplasm, chromosomes, endoplasmic reticulum, nucleolus, phospholipid bilayer, transmembrane proteins.