The Plasma Membrane and Membrane Potential - Overview of MembraneTransport

4 important questions on The Plasma Membrane and Membrane Potential - Overview of MembraneTransport

In relation to the plasma membrane, what is mean when a substance is permable/impermeable to the plasma membrane? What is selectively permeable?

If a substance can cross the membrane, the membrane is permeable to that
substance
if a substance cannot pass, the membrane is impermeable to it.
The plasma membrane is selectively permeable meaning it permits some particles to pass through while excluding others.

What are the 2 properties that determine a molecules permeability?

1. the relative solubility of the particle in lipid, Highly lipid-soluble particles of any size can dissolve in the lipid bilayer and pass through the membrane
2. the size of the particle.

List if O2, CO2, Fatty acids, Na+, K+, Polar molecules (glucose, proteins) can pass the plasma membrane passively and if not why?

Uncharged or nonpolar molecules, such as oxygen (O2), carbon dioxide (CO2), and fatty acids, are highly lipid soluble and readily permeate the membrane. Charged particles (ions such as Na1 and K1) and polar molecules (such as glucose and proteins) have low lipid solubility but are very soluble in water therefore can pass only through channels
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Name the 2 forces that move molecules across the membrane and define them?

(1) passive forces, which do not require the cell to expend energy to produce movement,
(2) active forces,  which do require the cell to expend energy (ATP) in transporting a substance across the membrane.

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