An investigator wants to understand whether a newly found membrane protein is involved in membrane transport of a certain particle. Which investigation will help determine whether the new membrane protein is a channel protein involved in membrane transport?.

A membrane protein is a protein molecule that is attached to or associated with the membrane of a cell or organelle. Membrane proteins can be grouped into two groups based on the way they associate with the membrane.:

Integral membrane proteins are permanently rooted within the plasma membrane. They perform many important functions; these include the transport of molecules across the membrane.

Peripheral membrane proteins are proteins that are only temporarily associated with the membrane. They can be easily removed, allowing them to become involved in cellular communication.

A channel protein is an embedded protein found the cell membrane which provides a hydrophilic passageway for water and small, polar ions. They have a size which excludes all but the specific molecules which move from an area of high concentration to an area with a lower concentration.

To determine if the new membrane protein is a channel protein involved in membrane transport, an experiment could be made by adding more of the proteins to the plasma membrane and measure the rate of the particle movement. If the channel is involved, then the rate will be faster because there are more channels that make the movement faster.

luisvaschetto luisvaschetto · Answer 2 · 2021-11-04T23:43:06+01:00

It is possible to determine whether the membrane protein is a channel by adding it to the lipid bilayer and measuring the particle movement rate.

A channel is an integral membrane protein embedded in the lipid bilayer, which provides a pore by which small polar molecules and ions enter and/or leave the cell.

Thus, channels are membrane proteins that provide a pore for the movement of small polar/hydrophilic molecules across the non-polar/hydrophobic interior of the lipid bilayer.

For example, aquaporins are pores that cells use for the movement by passive transport of water molecules across the lipid bilayer.

In this case, if the target protein is a channel involved in the transport of a specific molecule across the cell membrane, then its attachment to the lipid bilayer will increase the rate of movement into and out the cell.

In conclusion, it is possible to determine whether the membrane protein is a channel by adding it to the lipid bilayer and measuring the particle movement rate.

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