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A-Level Biology OCR A

Oxygen Water Diffusion Bilayer Small Repelled Hydrophobic Interior

Front Explain why it is easier for an oxygen molecule to diffuse across a membrane than a water molecule.
Back Diffusion of oxygen vs water:
  • Diffusion across membranes involves particles passing thru the phospholipid bilayer
  • Because oxygen is small and non-polar it will not be repelled by the hydrophobic interior and will be able to pass through the bilayear easily

  • Water is also small but it is polar as it has partially positive and negative charges which will be repelled slightly by the hydrophobic interior of the bilayer making it harder for the molecules to pass through

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