A protein that forms an ion channel in a membrane is most likely to be
A) a peripheral protein.
B) a transmembrane protein.
C) a phosphorylated protein.
D) an enzyme.
E) entirely outside the phospholipid bilayer.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Ion channels require a protein to span the membrane, which means the protein must be a transmembrane protein in order to form a channel for ions to pass through. Peripheral proteins are found on the surface of the membrane and do not span the entire membrane. Phosphorylation refers to the addition of a phosphate group to a protein, which does not necessarily determine its location or function in the membrane. Enzymes also do not necessarily span the entire membrane and are not specifically designed to form a channel for ions. Proteins entirely outside the phospholipid bilayer would not have access to ions passing through the membrane.

A Protein That Forms an Ion Channel in a Membrane