Question:

In the cell membrane , is there anything other than phospholipids which allows entrance of big molecules-size?

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is there any extra thing with the lipid bilayer??

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  1. Yes, the phospholipid bilayer is littered with specialized transport proteins that allow larger molecules too enter the cell.


  2. There are things called aquaporins which allow entrance to smaller molecules and also Integral proteins to allow entrance of larger molecules. The process is quite complex, but I'll give you a simple break down. There are receptors on the integral proteins which signals them to "open" a pathway and help the molecule enter. It makes a sort of tunnel through the protein so it can bypass the phospholipid bilayer. I suggest doing a little more research on the topic though as it is much too intensive to be done justice on Yahoo! Answers.

  3. Well, sure most of the cell membraine is the phospholipid bilayer, but in order for large or highly polar molecules to enter the cell, there are also channels which are upregulated and activated in various ways.  The Na/K ATPase allows for the active transport of Sodium and Potassium in and out of the cell to maintain the appropriate tonicity.

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