Clusters of _______ in membrane proteins such as band 3 of the erythrocyte can define hydrophilic segments through which ions (for example, bicarbonate and chloride) can be transported.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Transmembrane α helices are the segments of membrane proteins that span the lipid bilayer and define hydrophilic pathways through which ions and other molecules can be transported. This is especially true for transporters and channels, such as band 3 of the erythrocyte, which are specialized for moving specific molecules across the membrane. Oligosaccharide side chains and lipid modifications may contribute to the overall structure and function of membrane proteins, but they are not directly involved in ion transport. Phosphorylation motifs are signals for adding phosphate groups to specific amino acid residues, which can modify the activity or localization of a protein, but they are not related to the definition of hydrophilic segments for ion transport.

Clusters of _______ in Membrane Proteins Such as Band 3