Assume a membrane is polarized so that the exterior surface

Assume a membrane is polarized, so that the exterior surface has a negative charge. Which of the following descriptions of the interaction of water with the charged membrane would you expect to observe?

Please select one:

(a) The water molecules within hydrogen bonding distances would orient so that the oxygen atoms are nearest the membrane surface.

(b) The water molecules within hydrogen bonding distances would orient so that the hydrogen atoms are nearest the membrane surface.

(c) Water is also a charged molecule, so it\'s behavior near the membrane surface would be unpredictable.

(d) The water molecules would be repelled from the surface and move away.

(e) The water molecules near the surface would dissociate into H⁺ and OH^- ions.

Solution

(a)The water molecules within hydrogen bonding distances would orient so that the oxygen atoms are nearest the membrane surface.

A water molecule consists of two hydrogen atoms bonded to an oxygen atom, when outer membranes become polarized, the oxygen atoms of water molecules will orient towards the membrane surface. In polarized membranes, the hydrophilic heads on the outside of the membrane with hydrophobic tails on the inside of the membrane will be found and this property helps them selectively transport various specific compounds into the cell.