Question
Students conducted an experiment to determine the type and amount of macromolecules present in a cell membrane. They measured the percentage of each type of macromolecule in several cells of the same type. Their data is shown in the graph below.The students were asking the question: "How do the amount of macromolecules present in a cell membrane compare?"
Which of the following is the best claim and explanation based on the data shown?
Question 8 options:
Cell membranes are primarily composed of nucleotides, which form proteins. This is because nucleotides tell the cell what to do, so they tell the cell which substances to allow in or out of the membrane.
Cell membranes are primarily composed of fatty acid tails. This is because fatty acid tails form phospholipids, and these are the main component of the cell membrane with only few proteins and carbohydrates used.
Cell membranes are primarily composed of monosaccharides, which are lipids. This is because most of the cell membrane is formed of monosaccharides and so there are found in higher amounts than proteins and carbohydrates.
Cell membranes are primarily formed of amino acids, which form lipids. This is because these monomers can link together into all different shapes and that determines the shape of the cell.
Which of the following is the best claim and explanation based on the data shown?
Question 8 options:
Cell membranes are primarily composed of nucleotides, which form proteins. This is because nucleotides tell the cell what to do, so they tell the cell which substances to allow in or out of the membrane.
Cell membranes are primarily composed of fatty acid tails. This is because fatty acid tails form phospholipids, and these are the main component of the cell membrane with only few proteins and carbohydrates used.
Cell membranes are primarily composed of monosaccharides, which are lipids. This is because most of the cell membrane is formed of monosaccharides and so there are found in higher amounts than proteins and carbohydrates.
Cell membranes are primarily formed of amino acids, which form lipids. This is because these monomers can link together into all different shapes and that determines the shape of the cell.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
Based on the information provided in the question, the best claim and explanation regarding the composition of cell membranes would be:
**Cell membranes are primarily composed of fatty acid tails. This is because fatty acid tails form phospholipids, and these are the main component of the cell membrane with only a few proteins and carbohydrates used.**
### Explanation:
- Cell membranes are indeed primarily composed of phospholipids, which consist of fatty acid tails.
- These phospholipid molecules create a bilayer that serves as the fundamental structure of the membrane, providing a barrier that separates the interior of the cell from the external environment.
- While proteins and carbohydrates are also present in the membrane (important for function, signaling, and structure), the primary structural component is the phospholipid bilayer, which is largely made up of fatty acid tails.
- The other options incorrectly attribute the primary composition of cell membranes to nucleotides, monosaccharides, or amino acids in a way that doesn't accurately reflect the established scientific understanding of cell membrane structure.
**Cell membranes are primarily composed of fatty acid tails. This is because fatty acid tails form phospholipids, and these are the main component of the cell membrane with only a few proteins and carbohydrates used.**
### Explanation:
- Cell membranes are indeed primarily composed of phospholipids, which consist of fatty acid tails.
- These phospholipid molecules create a bilayer that serves as the fundamental structure of the membrane, providing a barrier that separates the interior of the cell from the external environment.
- While proteins and carbohydrates are also present in the membrane (important for function, signaling, and structure), the primary structural component is the phospholipid bilayer, which is largely made up of fatty acid tails.
- The other options incorrectly attribute the primary composition of cell membranes to nucleotides, monosaccharides, or amino acids in a way that doesn't accurately reflect the established scientific understanding of cell membrane structure.