Question

The phospholipids of plasma membranes are amphipathic: they have both hydrophilic and hydrophobic regions. The hydrophobic core of the plasma membrane helps some materials move through the membrane, while it blocks the movement of others. How does the structure of the cell membrane help to enable its function?

Answer 1

Answer: The structure of cell membrane is semi-permeable which allows it to pass only certain molecules.

Explanation:

The phospholipid bilayer includes phospholipids that are tightly packed. This membrane is semi-permeable in nature and it can be said that it is selectively permeable. Across this the small, nonpolar materials can pass through as lipid tails of the membrane are nonpolar in nature. Examples of the molecules that can pass through the lipid bilayer are oxygen, carbon dioxide, and others. But the water soluble molecules need assistance of nonpolar molecules to pass through it like glucose, and amino acids as they are oppose by the hydrophobic tails.