Element Found in Lowest Amounts in Cell Wall & Membrane

Subject : Biology

Question:

The cell walls of a plant consist mostly of cellulose, a carbohydrate, which provides a strong structure. The cell membrane gets its structure primarily from lipids, and embedded proteins allow for material transport. Which of the following elements would be found in the LOWEST amounts in both the cell wall and cell membrane?

A. Carbon

B. Phosphorus

C. Hydrogen

D. Sodium

Expert Verified Solution:

The element found in the lowest amounts in both the cell wall and cell membrane is D. Sodium.

Explanation:

Carbon: Both cellulose in the cell wall and lipids in the cell membrane contain significant amounts of carbon. Carbon is a fundamental building block of organic molecules.

Phosphorus: Phosphorus is a key component of phospholipids in the cell membrane, which include phosphate groups. It is also found in nucleic acids and ATP, although it is present in lower concentrations in the cell wall.

Hydrogen: Hydrogen is abundant in both cellulose and lipids, as it is a major component of organic molecules and is involved in many chemical bonds.

Sodium: Sodium is present in much smaller quantities in both the cell wall and cell membrane. While it plays a role in maintaining cell function and fluid balance, its concentration is relatively low compared to carbon, hydrogen, and phosphorus.

Therefore, sodium is the element that would be found in the lowest amounts in both the cell wall and cell membrane.