A researcher is using a modified version of FRAP. She has devised a technique that allows her to label all the peripheral membrane proteins with a fluorescent tag, and has bleached a specific area of the cell membrane. After 24 hours, she notices that fluorescence has returned to the bleached area. What can she deduce from this experiment?
A)Peripheral membrane proteins may not be permanently associated with the cell membrane.
B)Peripheral membrane proteins-like transmembrane proteins-are located within the cell membrane.
C)Peripheral membrane proteins can move freely within the cell membrane.
D)Peripheral membrane proteins are akin to integral membrane proteins.
E)Peripheral membrane proteins can both move freely within the cell membrane and are akin to integral membrane proteins.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The return of fluorescence to the bleached area indicates that labeled peripheral membrane proteins can move freely within the cell membrane, suggesting that they are not permanently associated with the membrane. This finding does not necessarily imply that peripheral membrane proteins are located only on the cell membrane or are similar to integral membrane proteins.

A Researcher Is Using a Modified Version of FRAP