If a synthetic cell membrane is constructed using only a phospholipid bilayer without any integral or peripheral proteins, which of the following will be unable to pass through it via simple diffusion?

Step-by-step solution

The cell membrane consists of a phospholipid bilayer which has a hydrophobic (nonpolar) core. Due to this nonpolar nature, the lipid bilayer is highly impermeable to polar molecules and ions. In a natural cell membrane, these molecules require specific transport proteins, such as channel proteins or carrier proteins, to facilitate their movement across the membrane. Since the synthetic membrane lacks any integral or peripheral proteins, polar molecules will be unable to pass through it. Nonpolar molecules like oxyg