The

characteristics
of substances
that are able
to move across
a plasma
membrane
Factors that determine the permeability of a
molecule across the plasma membrane
 Molecule size
 Polar molecule
 Ionic charge
Molecules that move freely across the plasma
membrane
 Lipid-soluble substances
 Example : -Fatty acid
-Glycerol
-Vitamins A, D, E, K
-Steroid compounds
 Nonpolar molecules
 Example : -Oxygen
-Carbon dioxide
Molecules that cannot move freely across the
plasma membrane
 Large molecule
 Example : -Glucose
-Amino acid
 Small molecule and ion
 Polar molecules : Water
 Nonpolar molecules : Oxygen, Carbon dioxide
 Ion : K+, Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+
Movement of substances across a plasma
membrane