After a membrane freezes and then thaws, it often becomes leaky to solutes. The most reasonable explanation for this is that
A)transport proteins become nonfunctional during freezing.
B)the lipid bilayer loses its fluidity when it freezes.
C)aquaporins can no longer function after freezing.
D)the integrity of the lipid bilayer is broken when the membrane freezes.
E)the solubility of most solutes in the cytoplasm decreases on freezing.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Freezing can cause the formation of ice crystals that can physically disrupt and damage the lipid bilayer, leading to gaps or punctures in the membrane that allow solutes to leak through.

After a Membrane Freezes and Then Thaws, It Often Becomes