Selective permeability of the mebrane is primarily determined by

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Let’s break down the concept of selective permeability and evaluate each statement carefully.
Option 1: 'The charge of the membrane' — While charge can influence interactions with ions and charged molecules, selective permeability is not determined solely by the membrane's overall charge. The specifics of which substances cross, and how easily, depend more on the proteins embedded in the membrane and their properties rather than just a generic charge characteristic.
Option 2: 'the number and types of membrane proteins' — This is the strongest contributor to selective permeability. Membrane proteins include channels, transporters, and carriers that create specific pathways for ions and molecules, control gating, and determine selectivity. The diversity and abundance of these proteins directly shape which substances can pass and how, making this option the most accurate.
Option 3: 'membrane phospholipids' — Phospholipids form the bilayer and influence fluidity and permeability to some extent, especially for nonpolar molecules, but they do not primarily determine selective transport in the way proteins do. The lipid matrix sets a baseline, while proteins confer specificity.
Option 4: 'How much cholesterol is present' — Cholesterol modulates membrane fluidity and rigidity, particularly in animal membranes, but it does not singularly govern selective permeability to the wide range of solutes. It is a modulator rather than the primary determinant of selectivity.
In summary, when evaluating permeability control, the dominant factor is the cadre of membrane proteins, including channels and transporters, which together specify which substances cross and at what rate. The other elements influence the context or baseline properties of the membrane but do not set the primary selective gates in the same direct way as membrane proteins do.

ANSC20001_2025_SM1 Week 2 - The plasma membrane and membrane potential (Example MCQs)

Selective permeability of the mebrane is primarily determined by

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