Question

can salt and sugar pass through a cell membrane via simple diffusion? no, because they are too large to fit through the cell membrane normally and require a special channel. yes, because they can easily fit through the cell membrane. no, because they pass through via osmosis instead. yes, but only when moving against the concentration gradient.

Explanation:

Simple diffusion is the movement of small, non - polar molecules across the cell membrane from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration. Salt (\(NaCl\)) dissociates into ions (\(Na^{+}\) and \(Cl^{-}\)) which are charged and relatively large compared to molecules that can pass by simple diffusion. Sugar (e.g., glucose) is a polar molecule and also too large to pass through the cell membrane by simple diffusion. Both salt and sugar require special channels or transporters (facilitated diffusion or active transport depending on the concentration gradient) to cross the cell membrane. Osmosis is the movement of water, not salt or sugar. And simple diffusion occurs down the concentration gradient.

Answer:

No, because they are too large to fit through the cell membrane normally and require a special channel.