6. How do neutral solutes move across the plasma membrane? Can the polar molecules also move across it in the same way? If not, then how are these
transported across the membrane?
Neutral solutes are lipid soluble. These move across the plasma membrane by directly crossing through the lipid bilayer. Their rate of movement across the plasma membrane depends on concentration gradient and lipid solubility of neutral solutes. No polar molecules can not move across the membrane in the same manner as neutral solutes. The polar molecules require carrier proteins in order to pass through the membrane. The carrier proteins are integral membrane proteins that have an affinity for some specific molecules and during transport, these carriers carry these molecules to the other side of the membrane.
Neutral solute cross membrane actively or passivly. Polar head is arranged on outer side of membrane but inner membrane is nonpolar hence they are not transported across the membrane.