Cell Membrane Question

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cloak25

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The inability of an integral protein to diffuse transversely in a membrane is MOST likely due to:

A. strong hydrophilic forces between the membrane and the protein.
B. the protein's asymmetric distribution.
C. the protein's numerous hydrophobic amino acid residues in the membrane's nonpolar interior.
D. strong hydrogen-bonding forces between the protein and the membrane.

why is it B and not C??

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The inability of an integral protein to diffuse transversely in a membrane is MOST likely due to:

A. strong hydrophilic forces between the membrane and the protein.
B. the protein's asymmetric distribution.
C. the protein's numerous hydrophobic amino acid residues in the membrane's nonpolar interior.
D. strong hydrogen-bonding forces between the protein and the membrane.

why is it B and not C??


hydrophobic is soluble in nonpolar, so you would expect a highly hydrophobic substance to be able to diffuse transversely through the nonpolar interior of the lipid bilayer. The question is asking about the inability of the protein to diffuse.
 
why isn't A or even D?

If the inner membrane of the phospholipid bilayer were hydrophilic or capable of hydrogen bonding, there would be no phospholipid bilayer. The interior of the bilayer is the nonpolar/hydrophobic tails.
 
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