Question

The picture shows glucose molecules moving across a cell membrane.

a.)Describe the process by which glucose molecules pass through the cell membrane. Be sure to state the kind of molecule that allows glucose molecules to pass through.

b.)Explain whether this is an instance of active transport or passive transport.

Answer 1

Answer:

a) faciliated diffusion

b) passive transport

Explanation:

Cell membrane is made up of two phospholipid layers and each contain phosphate head and fatty acid or lipid tails. The head is present between the outer and inner boundaries and tail is present in between. The small non- polar molecules can pass the membrane through simple diffusion. This lipid tail restrict the passage of polar molecules including water soluble substances like glucose. However, trans membranes are present that allow the molecules to inter that are blocked by the tails.

Facilitated diffusion:

It is a type of diffusion in which carriers protein without using the cellular energy shuttle the molecules to the cell membrane. Glucose is bind on the carrier protein ,change the shape and transport it from one to another side of membrane. In order to absorb the glucose red blood cells use this kind of diffusion.

It is passive transport and energy is provided through concentration gradient.